PRINCETON,  N.  J. 


SAe//.. 


BX  9225  .C534  C5 
Chidlaw,  Henrietta. 
"Sunset  and  evening  star." 


z^:^^:^^^ 


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Sunset  and  Evening  Star." 


3n  QTlemotiam 


REV.  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW,  D.  D. 


"  Bt  Evcninc}  Cimc  it  Sball  be  Xigbt." 

Zechariah  xiv:;. 


'■^  And  I  heard  a  voice  from  Heaven  saying  unto  me:  ivrite 
Blessed  are  the  dead  ivhich  die  in  tlie  Lord  from  henceforth:  Yea, 
saith  the  Spirit ,  that  they  may  rest  from  their  labotcrs;  and  their 
vjorks  do  folloiv  them."    Rev.  14-13. 


UTICA,  N.  v.: 

PRESS  OF  T.  J.  GRIFFITHS. 
1894. 


QeSlicaforLj  Qreface. 


THERE  are  fathers  and  mothers,  and  the 
children  of  their  children,  scattered  amid 
the  woodlands  and  over  the  hill-slopes  of  the 
West,  who  were,  by  the  blessing  of  God  upon 
the  early  labors  of  my  Sainted  Husband,  gath- 
ered into  the  Kingdom  of  God,  and  led  to  be- 
come Faithful  vServants  of  the  Lord.  To  these 
and  to  all  who,  like  him,  have  the  cause  of 
Sabbath-school  establishment  and  enlargement 
at  heart. 

THIS  MEMORIAL  VOLUME  IS  DEDICATED 

by  one  who  esteems  it  a  comfort  and  a  labor  of 

love  to  send  forth  a  second  story  of  what  he  was, 

and  what  he  did. 

Henrietta  Chidlaw. 


PREFACE. 


IN  THAT  bright  little  volume  entitled  "The 
Story  of  My  Life,"  Rev.  Benjamin  Williams 
Chidlaw,  D.  D.,  has  himself  supplied  an  ac- 
count of  some  of  the  many  interesting  experi- 
ences of  his  eventful  career. 

To  round  out  some  of  its  aspects,  and  to  com- 
plete the  narrative  of  his  life  is  the  aim  of  this 
present  memoir. 


CONTENTS. 


Introduction, 


PAGE. 

"     3~5 


CHAPTER  I. 
Birth,  Education  and  Earlier  Labors,         -  -  9 

CHAPTER  II. 
Volunteer  Labors  in  the  Army,  -  •  -       15 

CHAPTER  HL 
Appointment  as  a  Chaplain,  -  -  -  21 

CHAPTER  IV. 
Continued  Labors  as  a  Chaplain,        -  ■  -      39 

CHAPTER  V. 

Various  Phases  of  Camp  Life,       -  -  49 

CHAPTER  VL 
Our  Hospital  Camp,      -  -  -  ■  -       70 

CHAPTER  Vn. 
Resignation  of  Chaplaincj-,  -  -  -  90 

CHAPTER  VIII. 
Sanitary  Commission  Work,      -  -  -  "94 

CHAPTER  IX. 

The  v.  S.  Christian  Commission,  -  -  114 


8  COXTEXTS. 

PAGE. 

CHAPTER  X. 
Anniversary  Speeches,  -  -  -  -     i3S 

CHAPTER  XL 
Return  to  Peace  Occupations,  -  -  -     i£4 

CHAPTER  Xn. 
Labors  for  the  Children,      -  -  -  -  163 

CHAPTER  XHL 
Various  Travels  and  Labors,  -  -  -     1 7a 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

Composition  of  the  "Storj-,"  Letters  and  Visits,  17S 

CHAPTER  XV. 

In  "Wales — Death — Burial  in  Ohio,     -  -  -     igi 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

^lemorial  Tributes,  ....  203 

CHAPTER  XVII. 
Letters  from  Public  Men,         ....     222 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 
Later  Tributes,         .....  242 

Appendix,  ......     275 


BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW 


CHAPTER  I. 
BIRTH,  EDUCATION  AND  EARLY  LABORS. 


BENJAMIN  W.  CHIDLAW  was  born  July 
14,  181 1,  in  the  village  of  Bala,  beside  the 
lake  Llyn  Tegid.  a  "  tarn  "  which  travelers  say  is 
one  of  the  most  beautiful  bits  of  water  in  the 
hilly  country  of  North  Wales.  At  the  age  of  ten, 
he  came  to  America,  and,  with  his  parents,  set- 
tled in  Ohio. 

Rev.  Dr.  T.  L.  Cuyler,  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y., 
•once  prepared  as  a  sort  of  introduction  to  the 
"vStory, "  a  sketch  of  these  early  years,  in  which 
he  says:  "  From  his  log  cabin  home  he  used  to 
walk  two  miles  through  the  forest  to  a  log  school- 
house  that  had  no  glass  in  the  windows — only 
■oil   paper. 

' '  Our  young  hero  bought  a  Webster's  Spell- 
ing-Book  with  four  pounds  of  butter,  and  some 
writing-paper  by  the  sale  of  a  few  raccoon 
skins.      The  first  sentence  he  ever  read  in  Eng- 


lO  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

lish  was  that  memorable  first  line  in  the  spelling- 
book,  '  No  man  may  put  off  the  law  of  God. ' 
That  is  also  the  first  sentence  that  I  ever  rub- 
bed my  boyish  shins  against,  and  I  have  al- 
ways thanked  Noah  Webster  for  having  started 
thousands  of  American  youth  on  the  strong 
meat  of  those  terse  and  powerful  words. 
Young  Chidlaw  varied  his  studies  of  Webster 
and  the  old  '  Columbian  Orator'  with  hunting 
raccoons,  fighting  fever  and  ague,  and  helping 
his  poor  widowed  mother  raise  flax  and  weave 
tow-cloth.  After  completing  his  course  in  the 
log  school-house,  he  walked  forty  miles  to 
Granville,  where  he  picked  up  some  knowledge 
of  Latin  from  that  grand  old  pioneer  of  Central 
Ohio,  the  Rev.  Jacob  Little. 

"This  racy  autobiography  is  tonic  reading 
for  some  of  us  old  boys,  as  well  as  for  the  rising 
generation.  In  these  days  there  are  scores  of 
superbly  endowed  universities  in  our  land,  with 
no  end  of  splendid  equipment^.  College  boys 
now  live  on  Brussels  carpets,  attend  lectures  in 
brown-stone  palaces,  and  spend  more  money  in 
boat  clubs,  and  ball  clubs,  than  linsey-woolsey 
Chidlaw  ever  saw  in  all  his  days  of  hard  fight 
with  poverty." 


BIR TH,  ED UCA  TIOX  AND  EARL  Y  LABORS.         I  I 

Dr.  Chicllaw  published  in  the  Delaware,  Ohio, 
Gazette^  April  8,  1892,  an  article  entitled,  "  M7 
Mother's  Spinning-Wheel,"  which  is  interesting- 
as  descriptive  of  this  period  of  his  life : 

' '  In  the  garret  of  a  spacious  and  beautiful 
farm-house  in  Radnor  township,  Delaware  Co., 
Ohio,  occupying  the  site  of  a  log  cabin  built  in 
1809,  this  relic  was  found  a  few  years  ago.  On 
it  were  these  letters  and  figures,  '  W.  B.,  1822, 
No.  146,  for  M.  C.  ;'  that  is,  William  Boyd 
made  it  in  1822  ;  the  number  manufactured  was 
146,  and  this  one  was  made  for  Mary  Chidlaw, 
iny  venerated  mother.  It  is  now  held  as  a 
cherished  heirloom — a  specimen  of  early  me- 
chanical skill,  and  the  manufacturing  talent  of 
the  early  pioneers.  This  old  flax  spinning 
wheel  is  a  very  suggestive  reminder  of  my 
boyhood  days  spent  m  my  log  cabin  home  in 
Radnor. 

"  The  log  shop  of  William  Boyd  was  two 
miles  from  my  home,  and  always  an  object  of 
great  interest  to  the  pioneer  boy — the  tools 
hanging  on  the  log  walls,  and  especially  the 
lathe,  attracted  the  eye  and  interest  of  the 
youthful  observer,  and  when  explained  and 
used    by  the  kind-hearted  manufacturer,  it  be- 


12  BE.XJAMiy  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAIV. 

came    a  real   pleasure,    the    memory  of  which 
abides  to  this  day. 

"The  clothing  of  the  old  Welsh  settlers  did 
not  last  as  long  as  the  garments  of  the  Israel- 
ites did,  so  necessity  taxed  their  skill  and  in- 
dustr}^  to  supply  their  wardrobes. 

"  Flax  culture  was  a  necessity.  A  clearing 
was  made  in  the  winter,  and  in  the  spring  the 
virgin  soil  received  the  flax-seed,  which  grew 
luxuriantly,  and  was  harvested  and  rotted  by 
spreading  it  on  the  ground  to  receive  the  au- 
tumnal rains  and  early  frost.  Then  followed 
the  breaking,  the  scutching  and  hackling.  The 
tow  was  thus  separated  from  the  flax,  and  both 
were  in  readiness  for  the  spinning-wheel. 

' '  The  hum  of  the  spinning-wheel  and  of  the 
reel,  was  the  piano  music  of  the  pioneer  home ; 
and,  when  echoed  by  the  loom  with  its  quick - 
moving  shuttle,  furnished  the  tow  cloth  and 
the  fine  linen  so  useful  in  those  early  times 
when  calico  was  worth  a  dollar  a  yard,  and 
money  almost  as  scarce  as  hens'  teeth. 

"  Then  the  Radnor  boys  figured  in  thin  tow- 
cloth  pants  and  home-made  linen  shirts.  Their 
fathers,  clad  in  the  same  apparel,  laid  broad 
and  deep  the  foundations  of  social,    moral,   in- 


BIR  TH,  ED  UCA  TION  AND  EAR  I.  V  LABORS.         I  3 

dustrial  and  religious  life,  that  has  kept  the 
saloon  out  of  Radnor,  preserved  its  people 
from  its  demoralizing  and  impoverishing  ef- 
fects, and  leaving  for  unborn  generations  the 
priceless  inheritance  of  their  good  names,  stal- 
wart virtues,  and  sincere  piety." 

It  will  be  remembered  that  Rev.  Dr.  B.  W. 
Chidlaw  had  from  early  years  been  interested 
in  the  cause  of  vSunday-school  instruction,  and 
while  discharging  the  duties  of  the  ministerial 
office  had  extended  his  teachings  to  outlying 
districts,  and  organized  many  schools  for  the 
reverent  study  of  God's  Word. 

In  an  address  delivered  years  afterward  in 
Baltimore,  he  said:  "Sabbath-school  work  is 
in  perfect  harmony  with  the  religion  of  Jesus 
Christ.  This  gives  us  confidence.  Children, 
if  brought  up  under  the  influence  of  the  Bible, 
will  be  the  life-blood  of  the  Church  as  well  as 
of  the  State.  Many  of  the  youth  of  our  coun- 
try are  neglected  or  superficially  educated. 
How  can  we  reach  them  ?  The  American 
church  has  the  power  to  gather  them  in  and 
convert  them.  Let  the  retired  list  in  the  Sun- 
day-school be  broken  up.  The  American  vSun- 
day  School  Union,  national  and  entirely  Chris- 


14  BEXJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

tian  in  character,  should  go  forth  in  its  power." 
The  28th  annual  report  of  "  The  Children's 
Home,"  Cincinnati,  for  the  year  1892,  says: 
"  Early  and  constant  friends  have  been  passing 
away.  One  of  these  was  the  Rev.  Dr.  B.  W, 
Chidlaw.  He  was  the  first  editor  of  Tlic  Chil- 
dren s  Home  Monthly  Record,  and  in  the  earli- 
est days  he  assisted  in  placing  the  children  in 
country  homes.  He  frequently  visited  the 
children  in  the  institution,  and  annually  took 
them  to  visit  him,  The  influence  of  his  visits 
to  them  was  that  of  a  man  of  God;  his  voice, 
his  pen  and  his  purse  were  ever  enlisted  in  our 
work. " 


CHAPTER  II. 
VOLUNTEER  LABORS  IN  THE  ARMY. 


BY  HIS  labors  as  a  chaplain  and  as  a  member 
of  the  U.  S.  Christian  Commission,  Dr. 
Chidlaw  earned  a  full  meed  of  praise  and  lasting- 
gratitude  at  the  hands  of  his  countr^^men ;  and 
approved  himself  in  the  sight  of  God  and  of 
men  as  a  workman  needing  not  to  be  ashamed. 

He  was  the  soul  of  patriotism.  He  loved 
his  country  almost  as  naturally  as  he  loved  his 
God ;  and  the  fact  that  it  was  his  adopted  coun- 
try made  no  dilference  in  either  the  degree  or 
the  quality  of  his  affection. 

It  was  most  natural  that  such  a  man,  who 
prized  the  land  of  his  adoption  with  the  ut- 
most fervor,  should  spring  forward  with  thou- 
sands as  brave  as  himself,  to  defend  the  Union 
of  these  God-honored  States  when  the  dark 
crisis  of  the  civil  war  was  precipitated  upon  a 
distracted  people. 

"  Inclination  and  duty,"  he  records  of  him- 
self,   ' '  led  me  to  follow  these  brave   patriots, 


1 6  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

who,  to  serve  God  and  Country,  hastened  tO' 
the  tented  field,  soon  to  realize  the  fearful  real- 
ities of  war." 

We  introduce  here  a  part  of  an  article  pub- 
lished about  this  date  in  the  Nezv  York  Times  .- 

"Sunday  Evening,  at  Camp  Harrison. 

"  The  immense  crowd  of  visitors  had  disap- 
peared, mess  was  over,  and  twilight  fell  like  a 
mantle  on  the  camp.  A  group  of  soldiers  were 
heard  singing,  and  a  multitude  of  attentive  lis- 
teners was  soon  around  them. 

"Rev.  Dr.  Chidlaw  having  been  invited  tO' 
address  the  crowd,  spoke  of  loyalty  to  God  and 
to  the  Government.  His  impassioned  and  ex- 
pressive words,  showing  that  true  faith  made 
heroes  in  the  Church  and  State,  in  ancient  and 
modern  times — that  godliness  inspired  and  nur- 
tured true  patriotism,  and  prepared  the  soldier 
for  every  post  of  duty  and  honor — secured  the 
fixed  attention  of  all  his  hearers." 

The  New  York  Evangelist  prefaces  a  letter 
from  Rev.  Dr.  Chidlaw : 

"  A  week  or  two  since  we  urged  the  great 
need  of  a  supply  of  chaplains  for  the  army,  and 
those  of  the  right   kind.      We   are  glad  to  see 


VOLUNTEER  LABORS  IN  THE  ARMY.  I  7 

that  this  sort  of  men  are  ah-eady  feeling  an  in- 
ward call  to  that  work.  It  would  be  hard  to 
pick  out  a  better  man  for  such  a  service  than 
Brother  Chidlaw,  the  veteran  Sunday-school 
missionary. 

"  From  the  following  letter  just  received  from 
the  West,  it  will  be  seen  that  he  is  already  on 
duty  at  the  camp  near  Cincinnati.  A  firmer 
friend  and  truer  counselor  could  not  be  found 
for  young  men  when  they  are  in  the  camp,  or 
when  they  inarch  to  the  scene  of  war.  May 
there  be  many  of  the  like  spirit  and  fidelity. 
We  copy  his  brief  letter: 

"Camp  Harrison,  near  Cincinnati,  Ohio, 

May  7,  1861. 

"  Ten  days  ago,  encouraged  by  a  deep  con- 
viction of  duty,  and  a  cordial  welcome  by  the 
commanding  officer,  I  entered  upon  missionary 
labors  in  behalf  of  the  3,500  true-hearted  patri- 
ots here  encamped.  Greeting  the  men  as  a 
friend,  I  at  once  made  friends,-  and  secured 
their  interest  and  confidence.  Many  knew  me 
as  the  'Sunday-school  man,'  who  in  former 
years  spoke  to  them  in  their  Sunday-school  or 
at  their  '  big  meetings, '  and   they  were  glad  to 


I  8  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

see  me,  and  promised  to  attend  our  religious 
services. 

' '  Almost  every  evening,  after  mess,  I  hold  a 
meeting.  Singing  brings  my  congregation  to- 
gether; then  I  occupy  a  half-hour  in  pra3'er 
and  exhortation.  I  also  visit  the  men  in  their 
•quarters,  talk  and  pray  with  them,  and  distri- 
bute tracts ;  and  my  calls  are  always  well  re- 
'ceived.  We  have  established  a  prayer  meet- 
ing at  8  p.  M.  every  night,  which  is  sustained 
by  the  soldiers,  and  is  exerting  a  blessed  influ- 
ence for  good.  These  religious  services  make 
the  soldiers  acquainted  with  each  other  as  breth- 
ren in  the  Lord.  Thus  their  hearts  are  strength- 
ened to  serve  God,  and  to  aid  each  other  in  the 
Divine  life.  I  hope  soon  to  form  a  '  Christian 
brotherhood,'  and  to  have  our  banner  on  the 
■outer  wall,  witnessing  for  Jesus  amid  the  trials 
and  temptations  of  a  military  camp. 

"  I  find  abundant  encouragement  to  labor. 
There  is  great  need  of  religious  effort.  The 
camp  is  a  wide  and  inviting  field,  yet  there  are 
difficulties  which  God  alone  can  help  us  to  over- 
come. Adult  depravity  is  repellant;  and  tells 
me  that  there  is  more  hope  in  the  Sunday-school 
with  children,  than  on  the  tented  field  with  men 


VOL UNTEER  LABORS  IN  THE  ARMY.  1 9 

never  blessed  with  early  religious  training. 
The  vast  army  now  gathering  to  save  our  Gov- 
ernment from  overthrow,  and  the  nation  from 
anarchy,  have  strong  claims  upon  the  warmest 
sympathies  of  Christian  patriotism.  Let  earn- 
est prayer  and  faithful  eifort  in  their  behalf 
every  where  abound." 

"  Camp  Dennison,  May  27th. 

"  At  3  p.  M.  Gen.  Schligh's  brigade  mustered, 
(2,800  men)  and  formed  in  front  of  his  quarters. 
The  chaplain  wished  me  to  help  him  in  the  ser- 
vice. On  the  platform  were  some  thirty  of- 
ficers, and  before  me,  seated  on  the  ground,  this 
great  congregation.  I  started  with  an  expres- 
sion which  I  heard  from  an  old  Revolutionary 
volunteer  soldier,  thirty-five  years  ago.  He 
was  with  Washington  at  Valley  Forge  in  that 
dreadful  winter.  He  told  me  of  sufferings  that 
moved  my  young  heart,  and  I  asked  him  why 
they  did  not  quit  and  go  home  ?  '  Well,  my 
boy,'  said  the  old  soldier,  'we  knew  that  God 
was  with  us  and  that  He  would  see  us  through!  ' 
I  spoke  about  ten  or  fifteen  minutes,  and  I 
really  felt  that  God  was  my  present  help. 

"  Later  in  the  afternoon,  I  found  in  the  quar- 
ters of  the  '  Oberlin  Rifle,'  a  Bible  class  of  forty 


20  BEXJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

members.  Blessed  sight !  I  was  requested  to 
address  them.  Then  I  visited  two  hospitals — 
not  many  sick. 

"Thus  passed  another  Sabbath,  but  I  made 
no  Sunday-school  address.  I  am  really  hungry 
for  the  privilege  of  getting  out  into  my  special 
field  again. 

"I  have  rather  a  hard,  uncomfortable  life, 
but  I  feel  like  holding  on,  trusting  in  God,  and 
rejoicing  in  my  service  for  Christ's  sake.  Pray 
for  me  I  " 

And  this  devoted  servant  of    God  did  "hold 

on."     He   made    full  proof  of   his  ministr}'  in 

hospitals,  on  tented  field,  and  in  the  presence  of 

popular  assemblies,  until  at  last  on  the  collapse 

of  the  Confederacy — 

"  The  war  drums  beat  no  longer 
And  the  battle  flags  are  furled." 


CHAPTER  III. 

APPOINTMENT  AS  A   CHAPLAIN. 


NE  of  the  regiments  promptly  responding 
to  the  call  of  patriotism  was  the  39th  O.  V. 
Infantry,  of  which  regiment  Dr.  Chidlaw  wrote 
"The  39th  Ohio — a  body  of  men  fully  equipped 
with  arms,  determination  and  courage." 

He  was    asked  to  become  its  chaplain,   as  ap- 
pears by  the  following  telegram,  bearing  date : 
"Camp  Dennison,  Aug.  14,  1861. 

"  Reverend  Sir: — At  an  election  held  this 
day  by  the  field  and  company  officers  of  the 
Groesbeck  Regiment  at  Camp  Dennison,  you 
were  elected  chaplain  to  the  regiment.  Come 
up  immediately  or  let  us  hear  from  you. 

John  Groesbeck,  (Colonel.)  " 

At  first  he  declined  the  proffered  honor,  for 
reasons  which  seemed  good  to  him  at  the  time, 
but  finally  accepted  the  position. 

The  following  letters  and  newspaper  articles 
give  an  insight  as  to  the  occupation  of  Dr.  Chid- 
law during  the  interim  of  his  election  to,  and 
his  acceptance  of,  the  chaplaincy: 


22  BEXJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

"  I  am  Still  doing  what  I  can  for  the  spiritual 
interest  of  our  gathering  hosts  crowding  the 
tented  field.  I  did  not  accept  of  an  appoint- 
ment as  chaplain — my  duty  to  my  dear  wife  and 
seven  children  stood  in  my  way.  I  spend  every 
spare  day  in  the  camp,  and  I  bless  God  for  the 
privilege.  We  are  now  gathering  a  better  class 
of  men.  The  religious  element  is  strong,  and 
if  encouraged  will  be  effective.  Yesterday,  as 
I  read  my  text,  I  saw  one  company  (United 
Presbyterians  from  Preble  County,  O.,)  almost 
to  a  man,  open  their  Bibles.  This  cheered  my 
soul  and  helped  me  to  preach.  I  found  the  of- 
ficers unusually  willing  to  help  me.  Thus  I  se- 
cured the  arrangements  I  needed  for  our  ser- 
vice, and  at  10:30  full  attendance.  ]\Iy  heart 
is  with  the  soldiers.  I  enjoy  these  labors,  my 
poor  soul  feasts  upon  the  gracious  supplies  the 
Master  gives." 

The  Daily  Times,  Cincinnati,  Aug.  5,  1861 : 
"On  Sunday,  at  10  a.  m.,  the  church  call 
sounded.  The  men  promptly  fell  into  ranks 
and,  in  command  of  Major  Noyes,  marched  to 
the  grove,  where  a  sermon  was  preached  by 
Rev.  B.  W.  Chidlaw.  The  good  order  on  Si;n- 
day,  and  the  interest  manifested  in  the  religious 


APPOINTMENT  AS  A  CHAPLAIN.  23; 

service,  showed  the  hi^'h  moral  character  of  the 
soldiers,  and  that  the  officers  are  united  and  firm 
in  maintaining  the  morals  of  the  regiment." 

In  an  address  at  the  State  vS.  S.  Convention 
held  at  Bingham  ton  in  August,  1861,  reported  in 
t\\Q  SiDiday-School  Timcs^  Rev.  Mr.  Chidlawthus 
relates  a  few  striking  incidents  of  his  own  ex- 
perience in  camp  life,  showing  his  manner  of 
dealing  with  the  men.  He  went  among  the 
soldiers  at  first  a  stranger.  But  soon  a  young 
man  recognized  him,  "Ain't  you  the  vSunday- 
school  man?"  "  Yes,"  "  I  heard  you  sir,  in  our 
vSunday-school  when  I  was  a  boy."  "What, 
company  do  you  belong  to  ?  "Company  A. 
7th  Regiment."  "Well,  I  would  like  to  go  and 
see  how  you  live."  "  Very  well.  Here  boys, " 
turning  to  his  comrades,  "this  is  the  Sunday- 
school  preacher,  he's  going  to  our  camp."  And 
turning  to  him  he  asked,  "  Preacher,  won't  you 
mess  with  us  ?" — and  aside  to  his  comrades, 
"  Bo3's,  mind,  you  musn't  begin  to  eat  imtil  he- 
asks  a  blessing. " 

Thus  was  the  speaker  recognized  as  a  min- 
ister of  Christ  and  as  a  Sunday-school  man,  a 
proud  distinction — and  thus  he  was  enabled  ta 


2  4  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

get    a  hold  upon  the  men,  and  to  sow  the  seed 
of  the  Word. 

The  State  of  Missouri  was  then  trembUng  in 
the  balance  between  secession  and  loyalty.  Be- 
fore long  the  39th  Ohio  received  orders  to  that 
distracted  section,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Chidlaw,  (now 
formally  commissioned  as  chaplain)  accompany- 
ing it  thither,  was  soon  hard  and  successfully  at 
work  in  the  neighborhood  of  St.  Louis.  The 
following  are  extracts  from  published  letters 
from  himself  and  others : 

"Camp  Benton,  Mo.,  Aug.  28,  1861. 

' '  A  line  of  well  built  barracks  to  accoinmodate 
eight  or  ten  regiments  will  soon  be  finished  and 
occupied.  The  parade  grounds  of  the  39th,  Col. 
Groesbeck,  is  universally  admired,  and  for  eight 
hours  each  day  his  gallant  men  are  seen  upon 
it.  '  Getting  ready'  is  the  watchword  of  the  offi- 
cers and  men. 

"  Every  evening  the  chaplain,  aided  by  offi- 
cers and  men,  holds  a  short  religious  service, 
consisting  of  prayers,  praise  and  exhortation. 
The  voluntary  attendance  of  so  many,  and  their 
interest,  indicate  a  high  moral  tone  prevailing 
in  the  regiment. 

"Col.  Groesbeck  has  succeeded  in  removing 


APPOINTMENT  AS  A  CHAPLAIN.  25 

all  the  liquor  sellers  and  their  stuif.  When  the 
regiment  arrived  these  sharks  were  ready  to 
devour  and  destroy.  The  colonel  detailed 
Capt.  Benjamin  and  a  squad  of  his  men  to  re- 
move the  nuisance,  and  complete  success  follow- 
ed the  march.  The  soil  of  Missouri  was  well 
moistened  with  bad  whiskey  and  kindred  fluids, 
and  the  owners  put  to  an  inglorious  flight.  The 
fathers  and  mothers,  and  wives  and  sisters  of 
the  noble  soldiers,  will  thank  the  Colonel  for 
this  prompt  and  successful  movement  to  crush 
the  soldier's  deadly  foe. 

"  A  striking  feature  of  garrison  life,  in  the 
■shape  of  a  somewhat  unusual  religious  cere- 
mony introduced  into  the  regimental  routine  of 
the  39th  Ohio  through  the  influence  of  the  bold 
■chaplain,  is  here  noted. 

"At  dress  parade,  every  evening,  at  the  re- 
quest of  the  officers,  they  have  worship,  con- 
.sisting  of  reading  the  Scriptures  and  prayers. 
The  service  seems  to  impress  favorably  the  reg- 
iment and  the  crowd  of  visitors  in  attendance 
from  the  city  of  St.  Louis.  On  vSabbath  morn- 
ing the  regiment  is  marched  out  to  an  adjoin- 
ing grove,  where  divine  service  is  held.      The 


2  6  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

attendance  of  the  soldiers  is  good,  and  some  in- 
dividuals seem  deeply  impressed. 

"  One  man  in  particular  called  for  a  personal 
interview.  His  attention  had  been  arrested  by 
a  thought  uttered  by  the  chaplain,  that  a  sol- 
dier must  be  lo3'al  to  his  God  as  well  as  to  his 
country.  He  felt  that  he  had  been  a  rebel 
against  God  all  his  life,  and  desired  to  know 
what  he  must  do  to  be  saved." 

"Camp  Benton,  Sept.  i,  1861, 
"  Thirty-ninth  Regiment,  O.  V.,  U.  S.  A. 

"  At  10:30  A.  M.,  this  regiment  attended 
divine  service  in  a  beautiful  grove  kindly  thrown 
open  by  Colonel  O'Fallon.  The  chaplain.  Rev. 
B.  W.  Chidlaw,  preached  a  sermon  from  Mark 
12,  17,  ('Render  to  Caesar  the  things  that  are 
Caisar's,  and  to  God  the  things  that  are  God's  '). 
During  the  service  the  men  appeared  greatly 
interested.  At  2  p.  m.  a  Sabbath  school  was 
formed — the  chaplain  was  chosen  superinten- 
dent, and  ninety-five  of  the  soldiers  were  en- 
rolled as  scholars.  An  hour  was  profitably  spent 
in  the  study  of  the  fifth  chapter  of  Matthew.  A 
religious  association  called  the  '  Christian  Broth- 
erhood of  the  Thirty-ninth  Regiment '  is  formed,, 


APPOINTMENT  AS  A  CHAPLAIN.  27 

and  a  large  number  of  the  men  have  enrolled 
their  names. " 

The  special  reason  for  uniting  in  the  bonds  of 
a  "Christian  Brotherhood"  is  thus  explained  in 
the  American  Messenger: 

"  In  some  of  the  regiments  of  our  army,  the 
plan  of  establishing  church  organizations  has. 
been  attempted,  but  found  impracticable,  on 
account  of  the  various  sects  and  creeds.  Rev. 
Mr.  Chidlaw,  the  chaplain  of  the  Thirty-ninth 
Ohio,  has  adopted  a  plan  that  has  been  followed 
by  others,  for  bringing  together  the  Christian 
soldiers  to  help  each  other,  and  combine  their 
influence  for  good  upon  others  in  a  Christian  as- 
soc'ation  or  brotherhood,  to  continue  during  the 
war,  leaving  their  church  relations  undisturbed. " 

(to  a  christian  brother.) 
"Camp  Benton,  Mo.,  Sept.  3,  1861. 
"When  we  used  to  meet  as  soldiers  of  the 
Cross  on  the  battle-fields  of  Zion,  in  the  Miami 
Valley,  little  did  I  think  that,  as  chaplain  of 
the  39th  Ohio  Regiment,  I  should  sit  in  my 
tent  and  address  you  a  letter.  How  mysteri- 
ous the  ways  of  God !  How  wonderful  that  we- 
should  be  called  to  vindicate  the  authority,  and 


2  8  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

to  maintain  the  supremacy  of  our  government 
against  a  gigantic  and  wicked  rebellion.  I  feel 
its  dreadful  reality  on  this  tented  field — the 
bristling  of  ten  thousand  bayonets,  and  the 
tread  of  a  thousand  horses  training  for  the 
clash  of  arms  and  horrid  strife. 

"For  the  sake  of  preaching  Jesus  to  the 
i,ooo  gallant  men  composing  this  regiment,  I 
accepted  the  appointment,  and  am  now  in  act- 
ive duty  as  chaplain.  Our  officers  show  that 
they  appreciate  the  value  of  religion,  and  of 
religious  efforts  among  the  men;  and  in  this 
important  regard  I  am  highly  favored,  and  feel 
much  encouragment.  I  find  a  goodly  number 
of  pious  men,  avowed  friends  of  Christ,  in  all 
the  companies  of  this  regiment. 

"B.   W.   Chidlaw." 

"Camp  Benton,  Mo.,  Sept.  i6,  1861. 
"  My  experience  in  the  work  shows  that  the 
soldier's  Sunday-school  is  an  arin  of  Christian 
service  on  which  we  may  safely  rely.  The 
Sunday-school  army  on  the  tented  field  may 
fall  into  line  and  hold  its  regular  drills — the 
heavenly  tactics  may  be  studied,  and  '  onward 
we  move,'  emblazoned  upon  its  waving  ban- 
ners. 


APPOINTMENT  AS  A  CHAPLAIN.  29 

"  At  2  P.  M.,  I  was  invited  to  aid  Rev.  S.  R. 
Adams,  chaplain  of  the  Twenty-sixth  Indiana, 
encamped  near  us,  to  form  a  Sunday-school. 

"  We  planted  our  banners  beneath  the  out- 
stretching branches  of  a  majestic  oak,  and  soon 
150  soldiers,  with  their  Testaments,  gathered 
around.  The  enrollment  was  very  promptly  de- 
spatched, as  an  old  veteran  it  was  my  privilege 
to  give  the  general  orders. 

"  My  address  drew  up  a  large  crowd,  and  we 
were  compelled  to  spend  the  time  in  addresses. 
I  was  followed  by  the  chaplain  and  gallant  col- 
onel, who,  with  several  of  his  staff,  have  en- 
listed as  teachers ;  and  from  the  Christian  char- 
acter and  Sunday-school  labors  of  Col.  Wheat- 
ley,  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Indianapolis, 
I  have  no  doubt  but  that  he  will  be  in  the  Sun- 
day-school what  he  is  at  the  head  of  his  noble 
regiment — the  right  man  in  the  right  place. 

"Our  Christian  labors  in  the  camp  must  be 
prompt,  discreet,  and  advanced  movements; 
early,  earnest  and  prudent  labors  on  our  part 
are  indispensable  to  success." 

"Benton  Barracks,  Mo.,  vSept.  17,  1861. 

"I  have  met  over  thirty  regiments  since  last 
June,  and  I  am  confident  that  the  religious  and 


30  BEXJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

moral  element  in  each  is  such  as  to  secure  the 
establishment  and  maintenance  of  a  vigorous 
and  useful  Sabbath -school. 

"  I  find  a  field  of  labor  among  our  sick.  The 
soldier,  in  the  time  of  affliction,  needs  all  our 
offices  of  humanity  and  Christian  sympathy, 
and  I  find  him  very  susceptible  to  religious  in- 
fluence. If  I  can  do  him  good  when  sick,  he  is 
very  likely  to  regard  my  efforts  to  minister  to 
his  spiritual  wants  when  he  is  in  health.  Thus 
I  am  enabled  to  win  the  confidence  of  the  men, 
and  they  recognize  me  as  their  friend.  Friends 
in  Cincinnati  gave  me  paper  and  envelopes ;  by 
supplying  the  men,  I  can  induce  them  to  em- 
ploy their  leisure  time  in  writing — quite  an  im 
provement  on  idle  conversation,  loafing  and 
card  playing.  My  little  library  of  twenty-five 
volumes  is  doing  a  good  work.  '  What  is  this 
among  so  many  ?'  is  my  trouble.  Blessed  with 
health,  and  pleasure  in  my  humble  services,  let 
me  a.sk  my  friends  to  remember  the  chaplain 
and  his  pastorate  in  their  prayers,  and  to  do  all 
they  can  to  lead  our  gallant  soldiers  to  Jesus, 
salvation  and  heaven. 

"  B.   W.   Chidi.aw." 


APPOINTMENT  AS  A  CHAPLAIN.  3  r 

"Bp:nton  Barracks,  Mo.,  vSept.  i8,  iS6i. 
"This  vast  encampment,  four  miles  from  St. 
Louis,  with  its  substantial  and  commodious 
quarters,  is  a  place  of  great  military  activity. 
Regiments  are  going  out,  and  others  filling 
their  places  almost  daily.  The  cavalry  and  ar- 
tillery force  is  very  large,  and  increasing. 
***** 

"Last  vSunday,  Gen.  Curtis  commanding  the 
Post,  issued  an  order  for  divine  service  in  the 
great  Amphitheatre  on  the  Fair  Grounds.  A 
very  large  crowd  assembled,  and  Rev.  B.  W. 
Chidlaw,  Chaplain  of  the  39th  Ohio  Regiment, 
preached.  His  voice,  manner  and  subject  held 
his  immense  audience  in  fixed  attention  to  the 
close." 

So  striking  and  memorable  were  these  Fair 
Grounds  services  that  we  are  led  to  insert  this 
extended  report  of  the  Fast  Day  observances 
ordered  by  President  Lincoln  in  1861,  which  is 
taken  from  the  St.  Louis  Daily  Democrat  of 
September  27th. 

"The  Rev.  B.  W.  Chidlaw  delivered  a  ser- 
mon yesterday  afternoon  in  the  Amphitheatre, 
to  an  assemblage  of  troops,  the  novelty  of  the 
occasion  having  drawn  there  also  many  citizens, 


32  BEXJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHI DLAW. 

who,  as  well  as  the  soldiers,  were  highly  de- 
lighted. To  those  who  have  been  in  the  Am- 
phitheatre when  it  was  crowded  with  gaily- 
dressed  citizens  in  time  of  peace,  witnessing  the 
exhibitions  of  fast  trotting,  &c. ,  the  scene  of 
yesterda}^  was  a  striking  contrast.  Thousands 
of  belted  men  lifting  their  voices  in  sacred  song, 
and  listening  with  grave  faces  and  uncovered 
heads  to  the  words  of  religion,  formed  an  im- 
pressive scene,  not  soon  to  be  erased  from  the 
memory.  The  preacher  spoke  from  a  tempo- 
rary pulpit  placed  in  the  arena  between  the 
benches  and  the  green  sward  that  surrounded 
the  pagoda,  and  his  words  were  plainly  audible 
to  every  one  of  his  immense  and  attentive 
audience. 

"  The  services  commenced  with  the  singing 
of  that  old  and  beautiful  hymn : 

'  All  hail  the  power  of  Jesus'  name, 
Let  angels  prostrate  fall.' 

"During  the  singing,  the  First  Regiment  of 
the  Douglas  Brigade,  a  neatl}"  uniformed  and 
splendid  body  of  men,  preceded  by  a  fine  band, 
ascended  into  the  Amphitheatre,  and  secured 
seats  in  military  order. 

"  After  prayer  by  one   of  the   chaplains  who 


APPOIXTMEXT  AS  A  CHAPLAIX.  33-. 

were  seated  by  the  pulpit,  the  hymn  beginning, 

'O  Lord  of  hosts,  Almighty  King,' 
was  sung-  by  the  entire   congregation,  in  a  very 
impressive  manner,    to    the  tune    of  Old  Hun- 
dred. 

' '  The  reverend  gentleman  took  his  text  from 
the  Second  Book  of  Chronicles,  seventh  chapter 
and  fourteenth  verse: 

'  If  my  people,  which  are  called  by  my  name, 
shall  humble  themselves  and  pray,  and  seek 
my  face,  and  turn  from  their  wicked  ways ;  then 
will  I  hear  from  heaven,  and  will  forgive  their 
sins,  and  heal  their  land. ' 

"The  sermon  was  delivered  in  a  very  im- 
pressive manner,  and  was  received  with  pro- 
found attention  by  the  vast  audience."'  [The 
sermon  will  be  found  in  the  Appendix.] 

It  was  with  reference  to  this  stirring  pulpit 
experience  on  "  Fast  Day, "  that  Rev.  Mr.  Chid- 
law  afterwards  wrote : 

' '  Regiment  after  regiment  marched  in,  and 
I  found  a  precious  opportimity  to  address  an 
immense  congregation.  In  the  centre  of  this 
vast  assembly  my  heart  was  overwhelmed  with 
the  responsibility  of  my  position.  The  General 
and  his  staff,    and   quite  a  number   of  our  field 


,34  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

officers  were  among  my  most  attentive  hearers. 
'Such  examples  of  interest  in  Sabbath  observ- 
ance and  divine  worship,  on  the  part  of  our 
officers,  will  greatly  influence  our  soldiers,  and 
aid  our  chaplains  in  their  duties."     And  again: 

"In  my  discourse  I  endeavored  to  show  the 
conditions  of  Divine  deliverance  in  times  of 
national  calamities.  I  have  now  found  that 
-congregations  of  soldiers  can,  by  proper  au- 
thority, be  gathered  for  the  stated  worship  of 
■God,  and  that  this  service  is  not  a  weariness, 
but  a  delight  to  our  gallant  men. 

"  Preaching  to  the  brigade  makes  me  known 
to  the  men,  and  scores  of  them,  as  I  pass 
through  the  camp,  greet  me  as  friends,  and 
many  of  thein  as  brethren  beloved  in  the 
Lord." 

The  spirit  of  the  true  soldier  shows  itself  in 
the  following: 

"  Bextox  Barracks,  Mo.,  Sept.  23,  1861. 

"  With  Company  K,  and  forty  men  from  the 
hospitals,  I  am  still  separated  from  our  regi- 
ment. This  separation  is  to  all  of  us  very  un- 
pleasant and  undesirable.  "We  want  to  be  with 
our  gallant  comrades,  and  to  share  their  toils 
-and  dangers.  *         *         *         In  a  few  days 


APPOIXTMENT  AS  A  CHAPLAIN.  35 

'we  shall  have  a  commodious  hospital  opened  in 
•camp,  and  the  necessity  of  transporting  our 
■sick  to  the  city  in  ambulances  will  end.  I  al- 
ways found  our  men  in  the  hospitals  very  cheer- 
ful, and  many  of  them  reading  their  Testa- 
ments and  Hymn-books.  And  when  I  handed 
them  letters  froin  their  friends,  as  one  man 
■said,    '  it  did  them  a  world  of  good. ' 

"  In  the  evening,  at  the  invitation  of  Capt. 
D.  G.  Robb,  of  the  Indiana  Flying  Artillery, 
under  marching  orders,  I  preached  to  his  com- 
inand.  A  few  candles  stuck  to  the  trees  illu- 
mined our  sanctuary.  My  hearers  were  seated 
on  the  green  sod,  and  with  profound  attention 
heard  my  message.  To-day,  this  fine  company 
expect  to  leave  for  active  service.  They  are  in 
very  good  spirits,  and  when  the  time  comes  for 
■action,  the  country  will  hear  from  Capt.  Robb 
■and  his  gallant  coinmand. 

"  Since  vSaturday,  three  regiments  from  Illi- 
nois have  arrived  at  the  Barracks,  and  one  left. 
Three  sister  States,  Ohio,  Illinois  and  Indiana, 
are  pushing  a  strong  and  glorious  coluiun  into 
Missouri.  Our  Commander-in-Chief,  General 
Fremont,  the  illustrious   Pathfinder,    hails  this 


36  BENJAMIN  IVJLLTAMS  CHJDLAn". 

outpouring  of  troops  with  pleasure,  and  we  are 
all  inspired  with  confidence." 

Dr.  Chidlaw's  hopeful  optimism  finds  illus- 
tration in  the  language  of  a  letter  home,  bear- 
ing date  Sept.  27,  1861 : 

' '  Our  forces  are  concentrating,  and  in  good 
spirits.  In  the  name  of  the  Lord,  we  shall  meet 
the  foe,  crush  his  power  and  give  peace  to  this 
distracted,  bleeding  portion  of  our  beloved 
country.  The  broad  dimensions  of  the  rebel- 
lion, and  the  importance  of  adequate  force  to 
suppress  it,  now  loom  up  before  our  people,  and 
will  secure  corresponding  action.  This  assault 
upon  our  national  life,  this  malignant  and  pow- 
erful effort  to  destroy  our  union,  and  subvert 
our  government,  must  be  met,  and  I  bless  God 
that  we  are  lueeting  it.  If  our  friends  in  Ohio, 
Indiana,  and  Illinois  could  see  the  spirit  and 
working  of  secession  as  it  is  seen  in  Missouri ; 
if  they  could  hear  the  weeping,  lamentation  and 
woe  of  its  victims,  no  longer  would  they  feel  in- 
different, or  stand  aloof  from  this  glorious  strug- 
gle to  save  our  country  from  anarchy  and  ruin.'^ 

With  the  inspiration  of  the  impressive  ' '  Fast- 
day  Service"  previously  referred  to,  still  upon 


APPOINTMENT  AS  A  CHAPLAIN.  37 

him,  Chaplain  Chidlaw  wrote  to  Hamilton  Pres- 
bytery, which  met  at  Cleves,  O.,  Sept.  27th: 

"  I  feel  that  I  am  at  the  post  of  duty,  as  the 
pastor  of  one  thousand  men,  and  I  find  encour- 
agement to  do  the  work  of  the  ministry  among 
them.  I  preach  twice  every  Sabbath,  superin- 
tend my  Sabbath-school  and  hold  a  prayer  meet- 
ing. I  am  here  encouraged  by  our  officers,  and 
find  favor  in  sight  of  the  men." 

Under  date  of  Sept.  30,  1861,  he  writes  to 
the  Cinci)inati  Gazcttcirom  "  Benton  Barracks, 
Mo:" 

"  At  10  A.  M.  I  preached  to  a  large  congrega- 
tion made  up  of  parts  of  three  regiments.  My 
Bible  class  was  well  attended,  and  the  soldiers 
manifested  quite  an  interest  in  the  study  of 
Ood's  word;  and  many  of  them  by  their  replies 
to  my  questions  exhibited  a  thorough  knowledge 
•of  its  divine  teachings.  At  4  p.  m.  I  preached 
to  Captain  Constable's  command  at  the  arsenal. 
The  officers  and  men,  as  we  worshipped  God 
beneath  the  forest  trees,  encouraged  my  heart 
by  their  fixed  attention  and  evident  interest  in 
the  services.  I  am  always  favored  with  the 
hearing  ear  of  our  soldiers.  I  need  no  guard  to 
ieep    them  around  me,  and  I  never   discharge 


38  BEXJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAIV. 

my  ministerial  duties  with  greater  pleasure. 
For  which  I  would  humbly  thank  my  Divine 
Master  and  the  co-operation  of  my  officers. 

"  P.  S.  I  have  just  received  a  letter  from 
Col.  Groesbeck,  mailed  at  Brookfield,  Mo. ,  Sept.. 
28th." 

The  good  colonel  cheers  his  chaplain,  sepa- 
rated from  the  regiment,  by  writing,  "You 
know  that  we  should  all  be  happy  to  have  you 
with  us,  but  as  we  are  so  divided,  I  shall  not. 
order  you  here.  Stay  where  you  think  you  will 
be  most  useful." 


CHAPTER  IV. 
COXTIXUED  LABORS  AS  A   CHAPLAIX. 


PROM  the  beginning  of  his  army  career,  Dr. 
Chidlaw  mingled  well  advised  efforts  for  the 
material  comfort  of  the  soldiers  with  the  spirit- 
ual attentions  of  the  ministerial  office,  laboring 
to  provide  "things  necessary,  as  well  for  the- 
body  as  the  soul." 

Doing  the  one,  he  did  not  leave  the  other  un- 
done. Therefore  it  was  said  of  him  with  truth : 
"  The  soldiers  bless  him  wherever  he  goes," 

In  the  Cincinnati  Times-Star  of  Jan.  6,  '62, 
appeared  a  reminiscent  article  signed  "The 
Old  Chaplain,"  (a  title  which  our  hero,  it  seems, 
was  fond  of  calling  himself)  describing  the  op- 
eration of  "Getting  Overcoats  for  the  Boys  in 
'61." 

"In  July,  1 86 1,  the  Thirty-ninth  Ohio  Vol- 
unteer Regiment  was  organized  at  Camp  Denni- 
son.  Its  staff  officers  consisted  of  Col.  John 
Groesbeck,  Lieut.  Col.  Gilbert,  Maj.  E.  F. 
Noyes,    Surgeon    O.   W.    Nixon    and    Chaplain 


40  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHI DLAW. 

Chidlaw.  The  rank  and  file  numbered  960  en- 
listed men  well  officered.  Early  in  August, 
1 86 1,  the  regiment,  armed  and  equipped,  was 
■ordered  to  Missouri.  *  *  *  The  regi- 
ment on  landing  at  vSt.  Louis  was  ordered  to 
encamp  at  O'Fallon's  grove,  a  few  miles  north 
of  the  city.  Here  we  spent  a  month  with  sev- 
eral Iowa,  Illinois  and  Ohio  regiments.  Early 
in  October  the  Thirty-ninth  was  divided  into 
two  battalions  and  ordered  for  duty  on  the 
lines  of  the  Hannibal  &  St.  Jo  and  the  Pacific 
Railroads,  then  infested  with  bridge  burners 
and  bushwhackers, — the  terror  of  all  loyal  citi- 
zens and  the  destroyers  of  their  property. 
Guarding  the  bridges  and  relieving  the  country 
of  bands  of  secession  desperadoes  required  much 
exposure,  and,  for  the  want  of  overcoats,  our 
brave  boys  were  suffering  from  the  chilling 
winds  and  autumnal  rains. 

"About  the  middle  of  October  the  chaplain 
was  informed  that  Col.  Groesbeck  wished  him 
to  go  to  Columbus  and  see  Gov.  Dennison  in  re- 
gard to  a  supply  of  overcoats  for  his  suffering 
soldiers. 

"At  once  he  departed  and  the  next  day  met 
the  Governor   in  Columbus    and  delivered  his 


COXTIXUED  LABORS  AS  A  CHAPLAIX.  41 

message.  The  kind-hearted  and  patriotic  Gov- 
ernor gave  earnest  heed  to  the  statements  and 
pleadings  of  the  chaplain  for  his  suffering  par- 
ishioners while  heroically  saving  the  vState  of 
Missouri  from  seceding  and  entering  the  Con- 
federacy. The  Governor  said  that  if  he  could 
find  the  overcoats  he  would  give  an  order  at 
once,  but  he  knew  of  none  that  could  be  secur- 
ed. Then  he  consulted  with  Capt.  Wright, 
the  quartermaster,  who  was  also  deeply  interest- 
ed and  anxious  to  aid  the  Chaplain  in  his  mis- 
sion. 

"The  Governor  gave  me  a  letter  to  the  U. 
S.  Q.  M.  in  Cincinnati,  urging  him  to  furnish 
the  overcoats  and  forward  them  at  once  to  Mis- 
souri. 

"The  U.  vS.  O.  iM.,  Capt.  Dickerson,  was 
found  at  the  Burnet  House.  His  response  to 
the  appeal  of  the  Chaplain  and  the  Governor  of 
Ohio  was  rather  laconic :  '  If  I  could  furnish 
overcoats  I  would  send  them  to  West  Virginia. ' 

"Greatly  discouraged  and  perplexed,  as  the 
Chaplain  passed  the  corner  of  Walnut  and  Fifth 
streets,  he  saw  soldiers'  overcoats  in  front  of  the 
store  of  Cole  &  Hopkins.  He  knew  Mr.  L.  C. 
Hopkins,  and  told  him  his  mission  and  made  in- 


42  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLA  W. 

quiries  about  the  overcoats.  Mr.  Hopkins  re- 
plied that  they  had  a  contract  to  supply  the 
State  of  Illinois  with  10,000  overcoats,  to  be  de- 
livered at  Springfield,  111.,  but  that  he  did  not 
think  they  could  furnish  the  goods  for  several 
weeks  if  the  State  would  order  them, 

"  Inquiring  of  his  bookkeeper,  he  found  that 
they  had  a  thousand  overcoats  at  Springfield  in 
excess  of  their  contract.  The  Chaplain  with  a 
sample  coat  and  the  price,  took  the  first  train 
for  Columbus,  and  in  double  quick  time  made 
his  way  to  the  Governor's  chamber  in  the  State 
House. 

"Calling  in  some  of  the  wStaft,  the  coat  was 
carefully  examined,  and  finding  the  price  satis- 
factory, Gov.  Dennison  gave  the  Chaplain  a  let- 
ter to  Gen.  O.  M.  Mitchell,  commanding  the 
post.  This  brave  soldier  and  true  patriot  ex- 
pressed his  great  pleasure  that  the  coats  could 
be  purchased  and  at  once  issued  the  order. 

"This  important  document  was  delivered  to 
Messrs.  Cole  &  Hopkins  and  the  order  to  de- 
liver the  goods  at  Springfield  to  the  representa- 
tive of  the  Thirty-ninth  O.  V.  I. 

"On  the  street  the  Chaplain  met  his  Quarter- 
master Edwards,  who  was  sent  on  the  same  er- 


COXTINUED  LABORS  AS  A  CHAPLAIX.  43, 

rand  bv  Lieut.  Col.  Gilbert,  of  the  Second  Bat- 
talion, encamped  at  Syracuse,  Mo.,  who  was  de- 
lighted that  the  goods  had  been  secureJ.  On 
the  sidewalk  the  Chaplain  gave  the  order  to  the 
quartermaster,  who  the  same  day  left  for  Spring- 
field, and  the  Chaplain,  to  spend  a  day  with  hi-S- 
wife  and  children  at  their  pleasant  home  near 
Cleves,  O. 

"  In  a  few  days  the  overcoats  were  issued  to 
the  boys  amid  shouts  that  made  the  welkin  ring, 
and  rousing  cheers  for  Gov.  Dennison  and  Gen. 
Mitchell." 

The  three  letters  following  indicate  the  sense 
of  satisfaction  the  good  Chaplain  had  in  his  work, 
and  the  earnestness  of  his  desires  for  the  im- 
provement of  the  tone  of  army  life : 

"Oct.  22,  1861. 

' '  The  religious  services  in  our  regiment  and 
the  general  conduct  of  our  men  is  producing  a 
very  happy  influence  on  the  people  around  us. 
They  begin  to  learn  the  true  mission  of  the  Fed- 
eral army — that  we  are  sent  not  to  destroy  but 
to  preserve  and  to  heal  this  bleeding  land. 

"  I  find  many  ways  to  do  good  to  our  men, 
and  to  win  their  confidence.      Far  from  home,. 


44  BENJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

and  experiencing'  some  of  the  realities  of  soldier 
life,  I  tind  my  cup  of  mercy  overflowing-. 

"  My  labors  are  congenial  and  pleasant,  and 
I  trust  not  altogether  unprofitable.  All  I  need 
is  a  large  portion  of  the  Master's  spirit,  and  a 
renewed  baptism  of  the  Holy  One.  Brethren 
pray  for  me  and  for  all  the  Chaplains  in  the 
army,  and  the  thousands  of  precious  souls  under 
our  pastoral  care." 

"October  23,  1S61. 

"  Here  amid  the  desolateness  of  a  wicked  re- 
bellion, far  from  home,  and  experiencing  some 
of  the  realities  of  a  soldier's  life,  I  feel  thank- 
ful for  the  work  God  has  given  me  to  do,  and 
the  pleasure  I  find  in  endeavoring  to  do  the 
work  of  the  ministry  among  these  brave  men 
imperiling  their  lives  to  sustain  the  Govern- 
ment and  preserve  the  Union.  There  are  many 
and  serious  difficulties  in  the  way,  and  discour- 
agements that  almost  crush  the  heart,  but  God 
is  with  us,  and  we  must  not  mind  these  '  lions 
in  the  way.'  Earnest  and  prudent  efforts  for 
the  intellectual,  moral  and  spiritual  improve- 
ment of  our  soldiers,  the  distribution  of  good 
reading,  personal,  friendly  conversation,  and 
public  services  on  the  Sabbath,  are  appreciated 


CO\TIXUED  LABORS  AS  A  CHAPLAIX.  45 

and  acceptable  to  the  great  mass  of  men,  and 
as  chaplain,  constrained  by  the  love  of  Christ 
and  philanthropy,  we  may  find  a  wide  and  hope- 
ful field.      'Pray  for  us.'  " 

"  October  24,  1S61. 
"Secession  and  desolation  have  gone  hand 
in  hand  over  this  beautiful,  but  now  wretched 
country.  A  year  ago  this  town  had  4,000  in- 
habitants; now,  nearly  half  the  houses  are  de- 
serted. There  are  six  meeting-houses,  four  of 
which  are  closed. 

***** 

"  Last  Sabbath  our  Colonel  led  his  men  to 
divine  service.  They  appeared  neat  and 
cleanly.  Their  arms  gleamed  in  the  sun- 
beams. The  Baptist  meeting-house,  the 
largest  in  the  place,  and  which  had  been  closed 
for  months,  was  opened  for  our  use.  The  men 
stacked  their  arms  in  front,  leaving  guards  to 
watch  them,  and  the  house  was  filled  with  an 
attentive  audience. 

"I  preached  from  the  text,  i  Cor.  xvi.  13: 
'  Quit  you  like  men,  be  strong' — showing  the 
Scripture  idea  of  true  manhood  and  its  achieve- 
ments. 

***** 


46  BE.XJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAIV. 

*' At  6  P.  M.,  we  held  our  prayer-meeting  in 
the  Baptist  church.  Some  three  hundred  were 
present,  and  we  had  a  good  time. 

'  *  My  congregation  dispersed  ver}-  quietly 
and  orderly.  By  and  by,  as  we  were  marching 
along,  the  voice  of  singing  fell  on  my  ear,  pro- 
ceeding from  the  front  of  our  line.  Scores  of 
my  soldier  parishioners,  many  of  them  breth- 
ren beloved  in  the  Lord,  united  in  the  song : 

'  We're  traveling  home  to  heaven  above. 
Will  you  go  ? 
To  sing  the  Saviour's  dj'ing  love. 
Will  you  go  ?* 

' '  The  effect  of  this  solemn  and  spontaneous 
praise  was  impressive  and  inspiring.  Gushing 
out  of  the  hearts  and  lips  of  these  noble  men, 
it  thrilled  every  portal  of  my  heart  and  soul 
with  rapture.  "We  find  that  religion  pays  in 
camp  just  as  well  as  at  our  distant  homes  and 
sanctuaries.  God  helping  us,  we  intend  to 
keep  the  banner  of  the  Cross  flying  over  our 
tented  field,  to  follow  on  to  know  the  Lord, 
and  to  do  all  we  can  to  have  all  our  comrades 
prove  loyal  to  God  and  his  law.  as  they  are  to 
their  country*  and  its  constitution. 


CONTINUED  LABORS  AS  A  CHAPLAIN.  47 

"  Brethren,  pray  for  us,  and  fight  valiantly 
for  Jesus  on  your  spiritual  battle-fields  at 
home." 

The  worth  of  the  energetic  Chaplain  was 
quickly  recognized  and  generously  appreciated, 
as  appears  in  a  letter  dated 

"Camp  Prentiss,  Chillicothe,  Mo., 
Oct.  30,  t86i. 

"We  have  been  over  to  visit  our  neighbors,  the 
39th  Ohio.  The  39th  is  considered  here  a  well-of- 
ficered regiment,  having  two  leading  spirits  that 
do  great  honor  to  their  rank  and  position.  We 
mean  Col.  Groesbeck  and  Rev.  B.  W.  Chidlaw, 
the  Chaplain,  whose  energetic  mind  and  indus- 
trious habits  render  him  very  popular  and  use- 
ful with  his  regiment  in  ninnerous  ways  out- 
side of  his  post. 

"C.   C.   Sprague." 

The  liveliness  of  Chaplain  Chidlaw's  sense 
of  humor  and  the  vivacity  of  his  style  may  be 
gathered  from  the  following  letter,  dated 

"  Camp  Prentiss,  Mo.,  Nov.  i,  1861. 

"  One  morning  this  week  a  private  in  Co.  I, 

Captain  Benjamin,  reported  that  he  had  found 

an  enemy  secreted  in  a  ravine  near  our  camp. 

The    captain,    having  some    experience  in  the 


48  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

service,  with  his  first  lieutenant,  accompanied 
the  man  to  the  bush,  in  which  the  enemy,  armed 
to  the  teeth,  lay  concealed.  The  foe  was  found 
in  the  thicket,  carefully  covered  with  brush  and 
weeds.  Advancing  cautiously,  the  covering 
was  removed,  and  a  veritable  '  red  head' — forty- 
one  gallons,  Cincinnati  brand,  came  to  light. 
The  enemy  thus  captured — this  masked  battery 
— was  in  position  for  his  deadly  work,  but  had 
not  belched  out  a  single  charge.  The  captain 
pronounced  his  doom,  and  the  lieutenant,  armed 
with  a  5  lb.  axe,  inflicted  the  righteous  sen- 
tence, and  out  rushed  the  evil  spirit,  *  *  * 
A  licjuor  dealer,  whose  ungodly  traffic  our  ex- 
cellent Colonel  had  suppressed,  had  located  the 
41  gallon  masked  batterv  in  the  bush,  with  the 
intention  of  drawing  out  in  '  smalls'  to  sell. 
This  fellow,  in  the  wreck  of  his  '  red-head, '  will 
learn  that  the  39th  O.  V.  is  death  on  Secesh^ 
and  its  potent  ally,  bad  whiskey. 


CHAPTER  V. 
VAKIOi'S  PHASES  OF  CAMP  LIFE. 


eAMP    life  at  Macon,    ]\Io.,    is    g-raphically 
portrayed  in  a  series  of  letters  of  differ- 
ent dates  in  November,  1861. 

"  November  13. 

"Three  months  of  ministerial  labor  on  the- 
tented  field  has  identified  me  with  my  parish- 
ioners and  my  pastoral  duties.  The  people  of 
my  care  are  a  heterogeneous  mass,  made  up  of 
river  men,  laborers,  farmers,  mechanics,  and  I 
regret  to  add,  not  a  few  who  had  no  occupa- 
tion— drift-wood  on  the  stream  of  time. 

"  Unimproved  intellects,  and  hearts  unblessed 
with  moral  culture,  no  taste  for  reading  or 
improvement,  and  the  great  temptations  in 
camp  life  to  idleness  and  vice,  are  features  in 
my  field  of  labor  that  frequently  chill  the  heart 
with  despondency.  Our  arms  hang  down  in 
feebleness,  and  our  strength  fails. 

"  But  here  lies  the  field,  with  all  that  is  pre- 
cious in  the    undving    interests    of    a    thousand 


.50  BEXJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

men ;  here,  victories  involving  eternal  weal  are 
to  be  gained  or  lost.  Our  weapons  are  not  car- 
nal, and  greater  is  He  that  is  for  us  than  all  that 
■are  against  us.  Therefore,  in  the  name  of  the 
Lord  we  have  set  up  our  banners." 

"  November  25. 
"In  this  camp  we  have  at  present  some 
twenty  Secession  prisoners  taken  b)'  Colonel 
Foster  of  the  Twenty-third  Missouri,  in  his  late 
•expedition.  They  were  entertained  in  an  old, 
-dilapidated  frame  house,  and  well  guarded.    One 

was  Gen.  H (so  called  by  his  comrades,  and 

famous  as  a  drill-master  in  the  service  of  Gen. 
Price).  He  sported  a  dingy-looking  blanket 
with  much  gracefulness,  and  evidently  ranked 
high  in  the  esteem  of  his  friends  around  him. 
Another  had  on  his  uniform,  gray-colored  and 
thread-bare,  in  which  he  fought  the  '  Lincoln- 
ites '  on  the  battle-fields  of  Missouri.  We  en- 
tered upon  a  free  conversation  on  various  top- 
ics. Soon  the  subject  of  Secession  was  intro- 
duced, and  one  of  them  asked  me  to  give  them 
my  view  upon  it,  adding,  '  We  don't  hear  much 
on  your  side  of  the  question. ' 

' '  Standing   in  the    midst  of  an    audience  of 
rebel  prisoners,  on  the  floor  of  the  guard-house, 


]'ARIOUS  PHASES  OF  CAMP  LIFE.  5  I 

to  speak  of  law  and  governnient,  treason  and 
rebellion,  was  an  unexpected  opportunity  of 
serving-  my  country.  They  heard  me  with  re- 
spectful attention,  and  invited  me  to  visit  them 
again. 

"  Most  of  these  men  were  armed  with  rifles, 
shot-guns  and  a  home-made  sabre.  I  was  told 
that  the  manufacturer  (the  owner  of  a  country 
blacksmith  shop)  in  the  service  of  rebeldom,  for 
four  months  had  been  hard  at  work  on  this 
weapon,  and  that  he  had  supplied  the  army  of 
C.  S.  A.,  Jeff.  Davis,  President,  with  no  incon- 
siderable amount  of  this  sabre,  something  like 
a  small  scythe,  in  a  zinc  scabbard." 

"  November  27. 

"On  Sabbath,  I  called  on  a  party  of  Con- 
federate prisoners,  taken  captive  by  a  Federal 
exploring-  party  in  Mis'^ouri,  and  addressed 
them.  They  wished  me  to  do  so,  and  heard  me 
with  respectful  attention  as  I  spoke  of  loyalty 
to  God,  and  to  the  government  which  He  had 
ordained,  and  which  they  were  charged  with 
attempting  to  destroy,  and  held  for  trial.  Three- 
fourths  of  these  men  knew  but  very  little  of 
the  great  issues  at  stake,  or  what  the}'  were  re- 
ally doing.      Led  by  demagogues,  they  rush-ed 


52  BEXJAMIX  IVILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

into  the  madness  of  treason.  I  inquired  if  they 
had  schools,  and  if  the  churches  were  opened 
in  their  neighborhoods.  They  gave  me  no  re- 
ply except,  '  I  don't  know  of  any. '  This  is 
the  dark  feature  of  Secession.  It  has  infatu- 
ated the  people,  kindled  the  unhallowed  fires  of 
discord,  strife  and  bitter  animosities,  ignored 
religion,  which  teaches  loyalty  to  God  and  to 
Caesar,  and  closed  its  sanctuaries.  Long  aga 
its  leader  and  its  convention  voted  the  '  school 
fund'  to  aid  rebellion.  Hence  the  school-house 
is  closed,  and  the  youth,  neglected  and  ungov- 
erned,  are  following  in  the  wake  of  their  mis- 
guided parents. 

"  The  cold  weather  and  the  want  of  water- 
proof tents  have  subjected  us  to  many  serious. 
discomforts.  If  we  quarter  here  for  the  win- 
ter, I  hope  to  have  a  large  room  where  we  can 
hold  public  worship,  and  have  our  camp  library,, 
and  newspapers,  and  desks,  for  letter-writing,. 
and  '  cheer'  for  the  gallant  soldiers,  that  will 
cultivate  their  hearts  and  improve  their  minds. 
With  the  help  of  officers,  I  hope  to  have  classes 
in  various  branches  of  science,  and  to  establish 
a  lyceum.  "We  must  do  something  of  this  kind 
to  save  our  men  from  the  effects   of   mental  in- 


J  :4RI0  i  'S  PHASES  OF  CAMP  LIFE.  5  3 

.activity,  and  from  the    tides    of    demoralization 
that  are  sweeping  over  our  tented  fields." 

"  November  27, 

"  To-morrow  is  Thanksgiving-  in  our  loved 
Ohio,  and  the  39th  will  observe  it  in  Missouri. 
We  shall  have  preaching  at  11  a.  m.,  and  also 
an  evening  service.  In  visiting  the  hospital 
this  morning,  after  giving  all  the  comfort  I 
could  to  the  twenty  patients,  most  of  them  con- 
valescent, I  passed  through  the  kitchen  and  be- 
held the  kind-hearted  steward  and  his  faithful 
helpers  hard  at  work  on  "  fat  shanghais  and  two 
fine  turkeys,"  preparing  them  for  Thanksgiv- 
ing dinner  for  the  brave  boys  of  the  hospital. 
By  the  looks  of  a  pail  filled  with  eggs,  a  pan  of 
rich  milk,  and  delicious-looking  pumpkins,  they 
intended  to  give  the  real  finish  of  a  '  Down- 
East  '  Thanksgiving  feast. 

"  Honor  to  the  hearts  and  hands  that  work 
for  the  sick  soldier,  that  fill  his  heart  with  joy, 
and  his  tin  plate  with  the  nice,  the  good  and 
the  substantial." 

The  discourse  of  Chaplain  Chidlaw  on  this 
Thanksgiving  day  was  afterward  printed  in 
pamphlet  form,  as  indicated  by  an  appreciative 
newspaper  notice : 


54  BENJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

"A  Thanksgiving  wSermon,  preached  before 
the  Thirty-ninth  O.  V.,  U.  S.  A.,  at  Camp 
Todd,  Macon,  Missouri,  November  28,  1861, 
and  a  Sketch  of  the  Regiment.  By  Rev.  B.  W. 
Chidlaw,  Chaplain.  i2mo.,  pp.  24.  Cincin- 
nati:    George  Crosby. 

' '  A  discourse  admirably  adapted  to  its  occa- 
sion and  audience,  redolent  of  cheerful  piety 
and  pure  patriotism.  Mr.  Chidlaw  is  one  of 
the  religious  institutions  of  the  West,  and  his 
many  thousand  friends  will  be  gratified  to  read 
his  views  of  army  life  and  duties,  here  so  clearh' 
and  characteristically  set  forth.  The  Appendix 
to  the  pamphlet  gives  a  history,  list  of  officers, 
and  necrology  of  the  Thirty-ninth,  which  have 
obviously  been  prepared  with  much  care." 

The  great  catastrophe  of  the  Civil  War  had 

inevitably  interrupted  many  former  lines  of  life, 

and  introduced  multitudes  to  new  and  strange 

occupations.     Sensible  of  this  Chaplain  Chidlaw, 

in    1 86 1,    wrote   to   his   good    friend,    Geo.    H. 

Stuart,  Esq.,  of  Philadelphia; — 

"Camp  Thiri v-ninth,  Ohio  Vols.,  / 
Macon,  Mo.,  1861.  f 

"  G.  H.   Stuart,  Sup't,  Ref'dPres.  Ch.  S.  S., 
Broad  St.,   Phila.  : 
"  How  strange,  that  the    old    Sunday-school 


VARIOUS  PHASES  OF  CAMP  LIFE.  55 

missionary  should  sit  in  his  quarters  in  a  U.  S. 
mihtary  encampment,  midway  between  the  Mis- 
souri  and  Mississippi  and,  while  the  cold  wind 
is  howling  around  him,  address  a  letter  to  his. 
young"  friends  in  your  Sabbath  school.  A  thous-^ 
and  men  called  him  to  be  their  pastor,  four 
months  ago  in  their  own  loved  Ohio,  and  God 
helped  him  to  respond.  In  this  regitnent  one- 
half  of  the  men  never  attended  Divine  worship 
before  they  came  to  camp.  They  were  river 
men,  and  had  no  Sabbath — farmers  and  labor- 
ers, never  went  to  the  sanctuary;  one-fourth  at- 
tended divine  service  occasionally,  but  had  no 
ties  binding  them  to  the  house  of  the  Lord  and 
His  worship.  The  other  fourth  attended  and 
were  interested  in  sanctuary  privileges,  and  the 
half  of  this  fourth  are  professors  of  faith,  and 
most  of  them  witness  a  good  profession :  that  is, 
out  of  1,000  men  I  have  125  who  are  avowedly- 
true  disciples  of  Jesus  Christ  Now,  whv  is  it 
that  so  many  are  careless,  hardened  and  in- 
different to  the  claims  of  personal  religion?  I 
have  found  the  answer — these  men  never  at- 
tended divine  worship  at  home,  never  went  to 
Sabbath  schools ;  no  parental  and  pastoral  labor 


5  6  BENJAMIN  W 'ILLIAMS  CHIDLA  U '. 

Avon  their  young  hearts  to  the  Bible,  the  Sanctu- 
ary and  the  vSaviour. 

And  now,  as  their  Chaplain,  my  heart  is 
crushed  by  their  irreligion  and  wicked  lives. 
They  came  to  hear  me  preach.  Their  ignorance 
•of  divine  truth,  and  their  wicked  hearts  are  so 
repellent  that  it  seems  impossible  to  interest 
them. 

If  God  crowns  our  armies  with  success  and 
our  g-overnment  is  saved  from  the  traitors  that 
would  destroy  it,  I  hope  to  a.ssume  my  humble 
work  among  the  children  of  the  West,  with  all 
my  heart.  Oh  !  If  some  one  had  gathered  these 
500  or  700  thoughtless,  hardened  men  into  the 
Sabbath  school,  and  if  they  had  been  taught  of 
the  Lord,  how  different  would  be  the  spiritual 
•and  moral  aspect  of  this  encampment,  and  how 
blessed  my  labors  as  their  pastor.  My  soldier 
Sabbath  school  is  sustained,  and  I  hope  profit- 
ably. I  have  some  two  hundred  names  who  at- 
tend, but  not  all  at  once.  Most  of  our  men  at- 
tend my  morning  service  in  the  open  air.  Now 
we  are  without  a  place  of  worship.  Our  sanctu- 
ary on  the  broad  bosom  of  the  prairie,  beneath 
the  blue  canopy  of  heaven,  cannot  be  occupied 
this  inclement  weather.     A  small  Presbyterian 


VARIOUS  PHASES  OF  CAMP  LIFE. 


57 


meeting  house  which  we  found  vacant  (for  se- 
cession soon  closes  the  church  and  the  school- 
house)  is  occupied  by  us,  but  it  will  not  accom- 
modate one-fourth  of  our  men.  Our  prayer- 
meetings  are  held  here.  There  is  encamped 
near  us  the  Twenty-second  Mo.  Volunteers,  Col. 
Foster.  They  have  no  Chaplain,  no  books,  no 
tracts.  My  stock  is  exhausted  and  they  are  left 
famishing  for  the  bread  of  life ;  but  I  look  for  a 
supply  from  friends  in  New  York  in  a  few  days. 
As  far  as  I  could  learn,  the  religious  and  moral 
element  in  the  regiment  is  very  feeble.  I  found 
a  few  Christian  brethren  who  had  their  banner 
on  the  outer  wall.  At  their  invitation  I  went 
over  one  day  last  week,  to  make  an  address  on 
Temperance.  These  good  men,  vexed  with  the 
filth}'  conversation  of  the  wicked,  rallied  around 
me.  I  took  my  position  on  a  wood  pile  near  the 
centre  of  the  camp,  and  we  engaged  in  singing. 
This  brought  my  hearers  together,  a  congrega- 
tion of  150;  about  the  half  of  them  had  dingy 
pipes  in  their  mouths;  and  I  felt  a  chill  come 
over  my  heart  as  I  saw  their  listlessness  and  in- 
difference. On  my  left  was  a  party  playing- 
cards,  gambling  with  camp  currency,  (sutler's 
tickets).      I  tried  to  pray,  but  the  heavens  were 


56  BEXJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHI DLAW. 

as  brass;  indeed,  I  felt  so  disheartened  that  I 
thought  I  would  retreat ;  but  I  dare  not  do  this. 
I  soon  saw  two  men  deeply  interested,  and  this 
broke  the  ice,  God  gave  me  freedom  and  my 
hearers  became  more  attentive,  but  the  gam- 
bling went  steadily  on.  After  talking  on  intem- 
perance, the  use  of  tobacco  and  liquor,  I  turned 
my  battery  on  card-playing  and  gambling.  I 
gave  them,  for  I  had  a  clean  .sweep,  a  few 
shells ;  at  first  they  looked  up  to  see  where  the 
trouble  came  from,  and  soon  they  gave  up  the 
ground,  and  I  felt  that  victory  had  perched  on 
my  banner,  for  which  at  the  close  we  thanked 
God,  and  went  our  wa}'  rejoicing  in  God  our 
strength  and  shield. 

"  My  dear  youth,  make  the  most  of  your  pres- 
ent religious  privileges;  early  give  your  hearts 
to  Christ,  bear  the  yoke  in  your  youth,  and  fol- 
low on  to  know  the  Lord.  In  your  labors  of  love, 
remember  the  neglected  children  of  the  great 
West.  Help  the  American  Sunday-school  Union, 
to  gather  thein  into  the  Sunday-school  fold,  and 
to  Jesus,  the  good  Shepherd.  God  bless  your 
Sunday  Schools.      Pray  for  me,  your  friend. 

"B.  W.  Chidl.^w." 

Mr.   Chidlaw   quickly  found  in  pursuing    his 
pastoral  labors  in  camp,  that  a  good  supply  of 


I  -.4 RIO  L'S  PHASES  OF  CAMP  LIFE.  5  9 

reading"  matter  was  essential  to  the  best  results, 
intellectual  and  spiritual, — hence  the  circular  of 
an  Eastern  publisher  which  is  printed  here,  fol- 
lowed by  the  appeal  to  which  it  refers : — 

"  Sabbath  School  Depository,  ) 

9  CoRNHiLL,  Boston,   December,  1861.  1^ 

"My  Dear  Sir: 

"If  any  apology  is  needed  for  troubling  you 
with  this  Circular  it  must  be  found  in  the  urg- 
ency of  the  case  to  which  I  invite  your  atten- 
tion. The  following  letter  was  penned  by  one 
whose  name  is  a  household  word  in  the  hemes  of 
nearly  every  family  in  the  free  States  of  our 
beloved  country. 

"For  a  quarter  of  a  century.  Rev.  Mr.  Chid- 
law  has  labored  with  a  zeal  that  knows  no  abate- 
ment as  a  Sunday-school  missionary  in  the  West. 
At  the  call  of  his  country  he  has  left  his  Sabbath- 
school  work,  home  and  family,  to  share  the  fort- 
unes and  privations  of  the  camp.  As  chaplain 
of  the  39th  Ohio  Volunteers,  now  in  Missouri, 
he  sends  to  his  Eastern  brethren  the  following" 
urgent  appeal.  It  breathes  all  through  the 
earnest  spirit  of  the  man,  and  will,  I  am  sure, 
touch  a  S3mipathetic  cord  in  the  hearts  of  all 
who  read  it.  I  promptly  sent  him  a  small  lot,, 
but  '  What  are  these  amongst  so  manv? 


6o  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

"Will  your  school  lend  a  helping  hand?  If 
the  amount  be  but  small,  it  will  swell  the  aggre- 
gate. '  Many  a  little  makes  a  mickle. '  I  wish 
to  send  this  dear  brother  a  large  box  of  books 
right  away.  Will  3"ou  help  me  to  do  so?  Direct 
to  No.  9  Cornhill,  Boston. 

"  vSincerely  and  truly  yours, 

"  Henry  Hoyt." 
(Camp  of  Ohio  Volunteers. ) 
"Macon,  Mo.,  November  20,  1861. 
"Dear  Brother  Hoyt: 

"  After  reading  (with  tearful  eyes)  the  '  Drum- 
mer Boy,'  which  you  sent  me,  I  loaned  it  to  our 
drummer  boys,  and  they  were  much  interested 
in  reading  it.  Now  the  book  is  going  the 
rounds  of  our  tents.  I  have  just  heard  from  it. 
A  man  has  just  called  on  me  at  my  quarters,  to 
get  his  book  exchanged,  and  told  me,  I  got  hold 
yesterday  of  that  'Drummer  Boy,'  and  I  sat 
down  on  the  hay  in  my  tent,  and  read  it 
through ;  and  luore  than  once  it  started  tears. 
This  morning  while  it  rained,  I  read  it  aloud  to 
my  mess-mates,  some  of  them  were  moved  to 
tears.  Then  I  let  it  go  to  be  read  in  another 
tent. 

"Dear  Brother    Hoyt,  do  get   help  from  my 


VARIOUS  PHASES  OF  CAMP  LIFE.  6  I 

friends  in  Boston,  and  send  me  ten  or  twenty 
of  the  '  Drummer  Boy, '  and  a  lot  of  other  kin- 
dred books,  published  by  yourself  and  others. 
As  winter  is  closing  on  us,  I  find  that  a  library 
circulating'  among  the  thousand  men  and  boys 
in  my  parish  is  what  I  need.  Don't  lose  time; 
send  50  or  loo  of  Brother  Stone's  sermon — 
its  living  fire  warms  our  patriotism.  My  copy, 
sent  by  you  is  on  the  rounds.  One  of  our  officers 
was  taking  fire  from  it  when  I  saw  it  last. 

' '  God  bless  Brother  Stone  for  throwing  up 
such  a  breastwork  around  the  old  doctrine  of  Paul 
and  the  Puritans — yea,  of  God  Himself.  Dear 
Brother,  excuse  my  entreaties  for  aid.  You 
know  the  friends  in  the  Sabbath  schools  who 
will  help  you  fill  a  box  with  good  books. 

"P.  S.     We  closed  all  the  rum  shops  around 

us  yesterday. 

"Your  brother, 

"  B.  W.  Chidlaw. 

(To  the  Coiigi'cgationalist,  Feb.   4,  1862.) 

"Through  the  liberality  of  Eastern  friends  I 

have  introduced  into  my  regiment  a  library  of 

300  volumes.   To-day,  as  I  visited  the  sergeant's 

quarters,    where    they  are  kept,    I  found    that 

nearly  all  were  out.      And  in  passing  through 


62  BEX  I  AM  IX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

our  barracks  I  saw  them  in  the  hands  of  the 
men.  I  gave  to  the  Third  Missouri  Cavalry, 
Col  Glover,  400  'Cromwell's  Bible,'  200  '  Some- 
thing for  the  Knapsack,'  and  about  50  volumes 
of  excellent  books." 

(To  the  Cincinnati  Gazette^  Dec.  4,  1861.) 
"On  last  Saturday  I  supplied  250  copies  of 
'■  vSomething  for  the  Knapsack,'  in  Col.  Bishop's 
Black  Hawk  Cavalry  Regiment,  encamped  near 
us.  The  colonel  thanked  me  for  my  labor  of 
love  in  behalf  of  his  men,  and  invited  me  to 
preach  for  him  on  the  Sabbath.  About  i  p.  m.I 
reported  myself  to  the  colonel  as  ready  for  duty. 
I  found  two  large  log  heaps  blazing  finely,  and 
quite  a  crowd  around  them.  The  day  was 
quite  cool,  but  calm,  and  these  rousing  fires 
kept  my  congregation  comfortable;  and  I  de- 
livered my  message  on  the  text,  '  Be  thou  val- 
iant for  me,  and  fight  the  Lord's  battles,'  to  a 
very  orderly  and  attentive  audience." 

"Pal-mvra.  Mo.,  Dec.  22,  1861. 
' '  Orders  to  march  reached  us  at  Macon  on  the 
4th  inst.  That  day  and  night,  via  the  railroad, 
brought  us  to  St.  Joseph,  and  on  the  5th,  Gen- 
eral Prentiss,  at  the  head  of  2,000  men,  left  for 
the    countries   on   the   north   side  of  the  river, 


VARIOUS  /'HASES  OF  CAMP  LIFE.  63 

where  disloyalty  abounded.  The  moral  effect 
of  our  march  was  excellent.  The  people  were 
led  by  their  leaders  to  expect  an  army  of  'Jay- 
hawkers,'  'Hessians,'  '  Nigg'er  Thieves,'  and 
'  Barbarians '  to  devastate  the  country. 

"  General  Prentiss,  an  able  soldier,  a  good 
man  and  strictly  temperate,  led  his  gallant  force 
through  the  country  in  perfect  order ;  no  acts 
of  lawlessness  were  committed,  nor  deeds  of 
violence.  This  secured  the  respect  of  Seces- 
sionists, and  inspired  the  confidence  of  every 
loyal  man  in  the  power  and  purpose  of  the  Gov- 
ernment to  maintain  the  Constitution  and  laws. 
Thousands,  we  trust,  were  led  to  see  the  folly 
of  rebellion,  and  to  understand  the  general  ob- 
ject of  the  U.  vS.  army,  and  will  henceforth  re- 
turn to  allegiance  and  duty. 

' '  With  the  work  of  a  Chaplain  in  the  camp, 
six  months  of  service  had  made  me  quite  fa- 
miliar; but  what  can  he  do  on  the  march,  is  a 
■question  to  be  answered  by  experience. 

"  Our  force  was  made  up  of  Ohio,  Illinois 
and  Missouri  men,  strangers  to  each  other;  and 
the  excitement,  toil  and  trials  of  active  service 
in  the  field,  placed  many  '  lions '  in  the  way  of 
the  Chaplain. 


64  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

"One  evening,  our  tents  pitched,  our  supper 
of  hard  bread,  mess  pork  and  coffee  enjoyed, 
musing'  over  the  camp  fire,  I  heard  the  voice  of 
praise  falling  on  my  ear  from  a  distant  part  of 
the  encampment. 

"With  a  Christian  brother  I  walked  in  the 
direction  of  the  singing,  and  we  soon  found  our- 
selves with  a  few  brethren  beloved  in  the  Lord. 
The  night  was  mild,  and  a  full-orbed  moon 
turned  darkness  into  day.  I  was  invited  to 
preach.  Several  men  went  around  and  an- 
nounced divine  worship ;  and,  as  we  sung  an- 
other hymn,  a  large  congregation  assembled. 
Standing  in  a  wagon,  I  spoke  the  words  of  eter- 
nal life,  and  my  soldier-hearers  appeared  deep- 
ly interested.  At  the  close,  many  gave  me 
their  hands  and  bid  me  God  speed  in  my  labors 
as  Chaplain. 

"One  morning,  having  missed  my  breakfast, 
I  was  accosted  by  an  officer,  who  invited  me  to 
preach  that  night  in  his  regiment.  I  told  him 
that  depended  upon  whether  I  could  get  any- 
thing to  eat ;  that  our  stores  were  exhausted, 
and  the  prospect  of  supply  was  very  gloomy. 
'  Oh,  sir,  I  have  plenty;  walk  with  me;'  and  by 
his  camp  fire   I  was  regaled    with    'slap-jacks,* 


VARIOUS  PHASES.  OF  CAMP  LIFE.  65; 

fried  bacon  and  cold  water;  and  my  soul  was. 
refreshed  in  conversing-  with  a  Christian  broth- 
er. His  parents  in  North  Carolina  had  been 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  under  the- 

care  of  Rev.  Dr.  C .     At  home,  in  Iowa,  he 

served  the  Lord,  and  was  a  ruling  elder  in  the 
church  of  Christ;  and  in  the  army  his  faithful^ 
ness  failed  not. 

"  I  saw  a  squad  of  soldiers  entering  the  yard 
of  a  farm-house  on  the  road-side.  I  followed 
them  and  heard  them  ask  the  farmer  in  the- 
most  respectful  manner  for  a  few  apples,  say- 
ing they  had  no  money  to  pay  for  them.  The 
inan  was  sullen,  and  refused,  saying  he  had 
none.  One  of  the  inen  said  to  ine,  '  Chaplain, 
look  into  that  out-house,  and  see  what  a  pile  of 
apples  this  mean  '  Secesh'  has. '  The  men  would 
have  helped  themselves,  but  I  told  them  that, 
would  be  contrary  to  our  orders ;  that  soon  they 
would  find  the  right  kind  of  a  man,  who  would 
give  them  plenty  of  apples.  They  c^uietly  left 
the  yard,  and  I  told  the  tnan  that  his  inhuman- 
ity and  lying-  deser\^ed  a  different  treatment ;: 
but  ours  was  a  mission  to  maintain  the  law ;. 
hence,  he  and    his   property  were    safe.      Gen.. 


^6  BEXJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

Prentiss  told  the  truth,    '  that  his  men  could  be 
•trusted  anywhere.'  " 

One  of  the  stories  told  at  the  Y.  M.  C.  A. 
meeting,  evidently  was  that  which  has  been 
preserved  in  a  newspaper  account  under  the 
title  of 

"an  armv  incident." 

An  incident  of  one  of  the  marches  of  his 
regiment  in  Missouri,  was  narrated  by  Rev. 
-Mr.  Chidlaw  as  follows: 

*'  One  venerable  old  lady,  her  wrinkled  face 
radiant  with  smiles,  her  tremulous  voice  bur- 
dened with  blessing  upon  the  soldiers  bearing 
the  stars  and  stripes,  came  to  the  road  to 
.greet  us. 

"Several  of  our  men  said  to  me,  'Chaplain 
,go  and  shake  hands  with  the  good  old  mother 
for  us  all  I'  I  did  so,  and  my  hand  never  re- 
•ceived  a  more  cordial  shake.  '  God  bless  you, 
-and  every  soldier  in  your  ranks  !'  gushed  from 
her  patriotic  heart,  bedewed  with  her  tears. 
The  loud  shouts  of  our  gallant  soldiers  told  the 
response  of  a  thousand  hearts.  Still  holding 
my  hand,  she  said,  '  ^My  father  was  seven  years 
in  the  Revolutionary  war.  I  have  lived  for 
-seventy-five  years  in  this  land  of  law  and  order, 


VARIO  US  PHASES  OF  CAMP  LIFE.  6  7 

protected  and  blessed.  There  is  my  home. 
Last  week  the  Secessionists  entered  it — took  my 
bedding,  my  provision  and  my  horse.  Thank 
God,  I  have  guardians  to-day  in  the  Union 
army,  and  I  expect  to  see  my  country  delivered 
from  all  its  enemies,  and  to  feel  safe  at  my  own 
fireside." 

Continuing  my  conversation,  I  found  that  my 
patriotic  old  friend  was  a  mother  in  Israel,  ripen- 
ing amid  these  sore  trials  for  a  better  life.  *  Ah, 
my  friend,  this  secession  has  well  nigh  driven 
religion  out  of  the  country.  Talk  to  me  of  Je- 
sus and  his  redeeming  love  I  Fifty  years  ago 
I  found  my  Saviour;  for  Him  I  live,  and  in 
Him  I  hope  to  die,'  were  the  touching  words  of 
the  aged  pilgrim,  loyal  to  her  God  and  her 
country." 

Another  incident,  of  a  nature  both  grotesque 
and  pathetic,  is  described  in  the  records  of  the 
period : 

"  Last  week  a  drunken  soldier  (not  of  the 
39th)  by  his  gyrations  and  boisterous  behavior 
disturbing  the  public  peace,  was  made  to  pay  a 
novel  penalty  for  his  indulgence.  An  empty 
whiskey  barrel  was  brought  into  requisition, 
one   end  being   knocked  out   and  a  largfe    hole 


68  BEXJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CniDLAlV. 

sawed  in  the  other.  The  young-  Bacchanalian, 
with  his  head  peering  out  of  the  barrel  resting- 
on  his  shoulders  and  reaching  below  his  knees^ 
marched  along  the  streets,  labeled  '  a  drunken 
soldier. ' 

"In  due  time  the  mortified  youth  was  re- 
leased from  his  oak- whiskey-saturated  cover- 
ing-, and  we  hope  will  hereafter  have  nothing- 
to  do  with  intoxicating  drink. 

* '  By  and  by  the  drunkard-maker  was  foiind, 
and  subjected  to  the  same  punishment.  He 
was  labeled — '  shame  on  the  :nan  who  sells  liq- 
uor to  the  soldier. '  "While  this  fellow  was  pa- 
rading the  streets  with  his  new  overcoat,  the 
negroes  were  much  delighted,  and  when  he  was 
released,  they  gave  him  a  grand  '  Good-bye,  old 
fellow,  guess  you  no  sell  whiskey  for  some  time 
after  dis!  ' 

"They  had  a  reason  for  this  gratification,  for 
not  a  few  of  them  had  suffered  on  his  account." 

This  deserved  tribute  to  the  regiment  with 
which  the  Chaplain  was  always  proud  to  be  con- 
nected, appeared  in  the  Palmyra  Courier^  in 
February,  1862,  a  paper  whose  staunch  loyalist 
sentiments  found  expression  in  the  stanza  of  a 


\\4RIOL-S  PHASES  OF  CAMP  LIFE.  69 

song,  then  popular,  appearing  conspicuously  in 
its  columns,  underneath  a  cut  of  the  flag: 

'  The  union  of  lakes — the  union  of  lands — 
The  union  of  States  none  can  sever — 

The  iinion  of  hearts — the  union  of  hands — 
And  the  Flag  of  our  Union  forever.' 

"  The  five  companies  of  the  39th  Ohio,  station- 
ed in  Palmyra  since  the  middle  of  December 
last,  left  here  on  last  Wednesday  morning, 
under  orders  for  Benton  Barracks,  St.  Louis. 
AVe  note  the  departure  of  this  corps  of  noble 
soldiers  with  feelings  of  sincere  regret.  Not 
that  their  absence  leaves  the  loyal  population  of 
Palmyra  and  vicinity  exposed  to  the  attacks  of 
a  malignant  and  revengeful  enemy  (for  the  ever 
faithful,  brave,  and  vigilant  Third  Missouri 
Cavalry  still  remain  here)  but  because  we  miss 
the  pleasant  daily  intercourse  with  its  truly  re- 
fined and  gentlemanly  officers  and  privates, 
which  it  has  been  our  privilege  to  enjoy  during 
the  season  of  their  residence  here.  And  this 
feeling  we  find  is  participated  in  by  all  the  people 
of  Palmyra.  The  uniformly  kind  and  affable 
demeanor  of  the  officers,  in  their  daily  exchange 
of  sentiments  with  our  citizens,  won  for  them 
the  good  opinion  of  all,  and  long  will  the  period 


70  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

of  their  sojourning  in  Palmyra  be  remembered 
with  unalloyed  satisfaction. 

"As  a  body,  this  regiment  compares  most 
favorably  with  any  in  the  service.  Its  excellent 
discipline,  prompt  obedience  to  orders,  and 
above  all,  the  high  moral  tone  pervading  the 
masses  of  the  privates,  render  the  regiment  in 
the  highest  degree  efficient  and  reliable. 

"  For  the  moral  tone  of  the  rank  and  file  not  a 
little  credit  is  due  to  their  excellent  and  inde- 
fatigable Chaplain,  Rev.  B.  W.  Chidlaw,  than 
whom  there  is  certainly  not  a  fitter  Chaplain  in 
the  service.  Ever  ready  to  minister  to  the 
wants  of  all  the  men,  and  to  assist  and  console 
them  in  all  their  trials  and  difficulties,  and  emi- 
nently popular  in  his  daily  intercourse  with  the 
regiment  (as  with  all  Union  men  outside  of  it), 
he  has  attached  the  entire  body  to  him  by  ties 
of  the  warmest  affection.  He  is  doing  a  noble 
work,  making  the  39th  Ohio  a  regiment  of  inodel 
men  and,  as  a  consequence,  model  soldiers." 

With  which  testimonial  of  regard  belongs  this 
reciprocal  expression  of  Mr.  Chidlaw 's: 

' '  On  leaving  Palmyra,  where  we  have  been 
quartered  for  nearly  two  months,  in  behalf  of 
the    Thirty-ninth  Ohio  Volunteers,  U.    S.  A.,  I 


VARIOUS  PHASES  Ol-  CAMP  LIFE.  7  i. 

would  express  our  obligations  to  our  numerous, 
friends  for  uniform  kindness,  and  deeds  of 
benevolence,  that  have  added  so  much  pleasure 
to  our  sojourning  among  them.  To  Uncle  Sam's. 
Daughters,  whose  labors  of  love,  and  welcome 
visits  have  cheered  and  comforted  our  sick,  and 
encouraged  those  who  ministered  to  their  ne- 
cessities, we  return  our  heartfelt  gratitude.. 
Those  '  Daughters  '  are  known  by  their  work  of 
love,  and  their  names  and  philanthrop)"  will 
ever  be  cherished.  While  on  the  field,  and 
when  at  our  firesides  at  home,  these  devoted 
ladies,  friends  of  the  soldier  in  his  sorrow  and 
sadness,  will  be  fondly  remembered. 

"  To  the  Presbyterian  Church,  in  whose  neat 
and  commodious  vSanctuary  the  39th  held  its. 
Sabbath  and  week  evening  religious  services,, 
we  tender  our  grateful  thanks.  Long  will  we. 
remember  the  genial  hospitality  and  pleasant 
society  of  our  numerous  friends  in  Palmyra. 
"  B.  W.  Chidlaw,  Chaplain... 

"Feb.  II,  1862." 


CHAPTER  VI. 
OUR  HOSPITAL  CHAPELr 


IX  1864,  a  little  paper-covered  pamphlet,  from 
the  pen  of  Rev.    Dr.  Chidlaw,  was  issued,  en- 
titled "Our  Hospital  Chapel," 

"  In  the  spring-  of  1861,  this  location,  sixteen 
miles  from  Cincinnati,  on  the  Little  Miami 
Railroad,  was  selected  by  Gen.  McClellan  for  a 
camp  of  instruction.  Thousands  of  brave  men, 
responding  promptly  and  earnestly  to  the  call 
of  their  country,  were  here  mustered  into  ser- 
vice,   armed  and    equipped,   and  soon   ordered 

into  Western  Virginia  and  Missouri. 
*  *  *  * 

"  In  the  spring  of  1862,  the  beautiful  plain 
•on  the  west  side  of  the  railroad,  skirted  with 
w^ood- covered  hills,  became  the  site  of  a  long 
line  of  neat  and  commodious  hospital  barracks, 
with  comfortable  accommodations  for  over  two 
thousand  patients.  After  the  battles  of  Fort 
Donelson  and  vShiloh,  a  large  number  of  sick 
and  wounded  soldiers  were  brought  to  Camp 
.Dennison  Hospital,   and    much    public    interest 


''OUR  HOSPITAL  CHAPEL."  73 

was  manifested  in  the  relief  of  their  sufferings, 
and  in  efforts  to  supply  their  spiritual  wants. 
These  ministrations,  so  kindly  bestowed  by  the 
friends  of  the  suffering  soldier,  were  always 
welcomed  and  appreciated  by  the  officers  and 
the  patients.  The  hand  that  ministered  in  clean 
clothes  and  nutritious  food,  the  heart  that  throb- 
bed with  Christian  sympathy,  and  the  lips  that 
opened  to  speak  of  Christ  and  salvation,  found 
among  these  brave  sufferers  a  wide  and  inviting 
field. 

"  With  many  others  it  was  the  pleasure  and 
privilege  of  the  writer  frequently  to  engage  in 
these  delightful  labors,  distributing  little  deli- 
cacies, alwa3''s  thankfully  received  by  the  grate- 
ful recipients,  to  give  religious  and  miscellan- 
eous reading  to  the  men  who  were  "hungry 
for  something  to  read,"  to  speak  words  of 
consolation  and  hope  to  the  distressed  and  sor- 
rowing, and,  as  opportunity  allowed,  to  hold 
divine  service  when  hundreds  of  deeply  inter- 
ested men  would  gladly  and  devoutly  hear  the 
words  of  eternal  life.  Until  the  summer  of 
1863,  these  public  religious  services  were  held  in 
the  open  air,  or  in  some  unoccupied  ward  or 
mess-room. 

E 


74  BESJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

"The  necessity  of  a  chapel  suited  to  our 
wants,  and  centrally  located,  was  seriously  felt. 
Several  efforts  were  made  to  secure  its  erection 
by  the  Government  or  private  benefactions,  but 
without  success.  On  a  bright  morning  in  June, 
while  visiting  the  different  wards,  the  men  with 
genial  smiles  of  welcome  cheering  my  heart,  a 
lovely  youth, — still  a  sufferer  from  his  wounds,. 
— inquired,  '  Shall  we  have  meeting  this  morn- 
ing? '  Others  united  in  the  request,  and  through 

the  kindness  of  Dr.  W ,  one  of  his  wards 

was  opened  for  '  meeting, '  and  soon  filled  with, 
a  crowd  of  attentive  blue-coat  hearers.  Most  of 
my  congregation  were  standing,  and  among 
them  I  observed  four  wounded  men  supported 
by  their  crutches,  listening  with  fixed  attention 
and  evident  interest  to  our  Gospel  message. 

"Such  men,  with  a  desire  to  attend  divine 
service,  certainly  deserved  a  sanctuary  and  a 
seat,  where,  with  their  fellow  sufferers,  they 
might  worship  God  and  enjoy  Christian  fellow- 
ship. Constrained  by  the  necessity  of  the  case, 
and  trusting  in  God  and  the  friends  of  the  sol- 
dier, I  called  upon  Col.  Xeff,  commanding  the 
post,  to  inquire  what  could  be  done  in  regard 
to  the  erection  of  a  hospital  chapel.      The  Col- 


-OCR  HOSPITAL  chapel:-  75 

onel,  ready  for  every  o-qocI  work  and  word  in 
behalf  of  the  soldier,  at  onee  and  with  great  cor- 
diality favored  the  enterprise,  informing  me  that 
the  Government  gave  him  no  authority  to  erect 
such  a  building,  and  that  we  must  depend  upon 
the  liberality  of  friends  to  provide  the  means. 
We  knew  that  our  children  loved  the  soldiers,, 
and  that  their  young  hearts  and  willing  hands 
could  be  interested  in  this  work  of  love.  The 
Sabbath  school  scholars  of  England  built  a 
missionary  ship  that  carried  the  Gospel  around 
the  globe ;  our  own  Sabbath  school  children  did 
the  same;  and  we  resolved  to  try  and  build  a 
hospital  chapel  with  the  aid  of  the  Sabbath 
school  scholars  of  Cincinnati. 

"On  the  following  Sabbath  I  secured  pledges 
of  aid  from  eleven  of  our  schools.  The  next 
day  our  plans  were  laid  before  Major-General 
Burnside.  This  brave  soldier  and  true  man  gave 
the  enterprise  his  unqualified  approbation,  add- 
ing: 'By  all  means,  a  chapel  must  be  built;  I 
will  inquire  if  the  Government  can  build  it;  if 
not,  please  call  on  me  for  twent3^-five  dollars, 
to  help  the  Sabbath-school  scholars  in  their  kind- 
ness to  the  suffering  soldiers.' 

"The  next  dav  General  Burnside  issued  an 


76  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

order  to  have  a  chapel  erected,  giving  our  chil- 
dren the  opportunit}"  to  furnish  it.  The  officers 
in  charge  located  the  chapel  on  a  beautiful  spot 
near  the  centre  of  the  line  of  barracks,  render- 
ing it  very  convenient  and  of  easy  access. 

"  vSeats  for  five  hundred  men,  and  a  valuable 
melodeon,  were  provided  by  the  children  of  a 
few  Sabbath  schools.  Other  friends  in  Cincin- 
nati donated  the  pulpit,  the  carpet,  the  window- 
shades,  the  lamps,  the  chairs,  the  bell,  the  Bible, 
and  five  hundred  hymn  books. 

"On  the  14th  of  August,  this  neat  and  com- 
modious chapel  was  dedicated  with  appropriate 
religious  exercises  to  the  service  of  God.  The 
occasion  to  the  soldiers  and  their  friends  was 
replete  with  delight  and  pleasure.  We  felt  that 
God  accepted  the  offering,  that  His  blessing  and 
approbation  would  rest  upon  the  good  work  thus 
auspiciously  begun. 

"Soon  after  the  opening  of  the  'Soldiers' 
Bethel,'  I  spent  a  delightful  Sabbath  at  Camp 
Dennison.  In  the  early  morning  I  visited  sev- 
eral of  the  wards,  conversing  and  praying  with 
some  of  the  sufferers,  who  were  drawing  near 
to  life's  last  hours.  Some  of  them  were  deeply 
impressed  with  the  solemnity  of  their  condition. 


''OUR  HOSPITAL  CHAPEL:'  77 

and  anxious  to  make  svire  work  for  eternity ; 
others,  alas!  were  careless  and  unconcerned. 

*'  In  a  cavalry  regiment  encamped  east  of  the 
railroad,  we  found  a  good  congregation,  and 
preached  to  them  Christ  and  the  Resurrection. 

"  In  the  afternoon  we  held  funeral  services 
in  the  chapel.  A  loyal  Virginian,  a  brave  and 
faithful  soldier,  was  to  be  buried.  His  remains 
were  carried  from  the  '  dead-house  '  by  his  c<Dm- 
rades  to  the  chapel  which  was  crowded  with  an 
attentive  and  soleinn  congregation  of  convales- 
cents, paying  their  last  respects  to  the  memory 
of  a  fellow  soldier.  After  appropriate  services, 
a  long  procession,  with  muffled  drum  and  solemn 
step,  moved  to  the  'soldiers  grave-yard,'  and 
laid  in  the  silent  chamber  of  death  another  noble 
soldier  to  sleep,  with  nearly  four  hundred  of 
his  comrades,  till  the  day  of  immortal  awaken- 
ing, when  they  that '  sleep  in  Jesus  will  God  bring 
with  Him  '  to  be  forever  with  the  Lord,  to  rest 
and  reign,  in  the  glory  which  is  to  be  revealed. 

"  Our  prayer-meeting  at  the  hour  of  the  set- 
ting sun  was  largely  attended.  Our  blue-coat 
brethren  '  fighting  for  the  flag,  and  living  by 
the  cross,'  offered  devout  prayers — made  earnest 


78  BEXJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

exhortations,  or  told  us  what  the  Lord  had  done 
for  their  soiils. 

' '  In  this  social  worship,  where  our  brethren 
were  bold  for  Christ,  and  faithful  in  duty,  we 
enjoyed  precious  tokens  of  the  Divine  presence, 
sweet  Christian  fellowship,  and  a  good  prepara- 
tion to  preach  to  a  crowded  audience  at  a  later 
hour.  The  theme  of  our  discourse  was  "The  ser- 
vice of  Christ, "  in  its  nature  and  rewards,  with  an 
earnest  appeal  to  every  slave  of  sin,  b}'  virtue 
of  the  emancipation  act  proclaimed  by  a  dying 
Saviour  on  the  Cross,  to  strike  for  freedom  and 
to  become  the  servants  of  God.  The  cloud  of 
mercy  which  overshadowed  us  at  the  Mercy 
seat  lingered  over  the  assembly  as  we  preached 
the  word  of  life.  At  the  close,  I  invited  all  who 
were  serving  God,  who  loved  the  Saviour  and 
rested  on  Him  for  salvation,  to  stand  up.  At 
once,  nearly  one  hundred  of  our  soldier  breth- 
ren stood  up  for  Jesus,  renewed  their  covenant 
vows,  and  pledged  renewed  faithfulness  in  the 
Christian  life.  This  was  truly  an  impressive  and 
melting  scene ;  the  stillness  of  the  grave  pre- 
vailed, while  the  spirit  of  God  was  moving  on  the 
hearts  of  these  enlisted  veterans  in  the  army  of 
the  P  lince  of  Peace.      Seeing  the  grace  of  God, 


•■'■OUR  HOSPITAL  CHAPEL:'  79 

we  were  glad  and  exhorted  them  all  that  with 
purpose  of  heart  they  would  cleave  unto  the 
Lord. 

"  Evidently  the  Hoh'  Spirit  was  striving-  with 
many  of  our  hearers  who  had  not  abandoned  the 
service  of  sin,  and  entered  into  the  service  of 
God.  We  earnestly  appealed  to  such,  and  in- 
vited them  now  to  set  their  heart  to  seek  the 
Lord,  and  secure  an  interest  in  the  Lamb  of 
God  that  taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world. 
Seven  men,  rising  to  their  feet,  inquired  what 
they  must  do  to  be  saved.  After  directing  them 
to  Christ,  ready  and  willing  to  save,  to  the  ut- 
termost, the  chief  of  sinners,  I  asked  some 
brother  soldier  to  lead  in  prayer  in  behalf  of 
these  precious  souls.  A  private  soldier  who  sat 
near  me,  bowed  on  his  knees,  and  poured  out 
his  heart  before  God  in  fervent  supplications  for 
his  comrades  now  seeking  Jesus,  that  they  might 
find  salvation  in  His  blood,  realize  its  gracious 
power,  and  share  its  divine  realities  of  blessed- 
ness and  joy. 

"  At  the  close  of  these  moments  rich  in  bless- 
ing, these  men,  with  others  of  the  Christian 
Brotherhood,  gathered  around  the  desk.  Grasp- 
ing their  hands,  we  bid  them  God-speed  in  the 


8o  B  EXT  AM IX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

way  of  life,  usefulness  in  the  tent  and  camp, 
victory  over  every  sin,  and  an  abundant  entrance 
into  the  better  land  above.  Thus  ended  the 
labors  of  a  delightful  wSabbath — -hours  of  wor- 
ship and  Christian  fellowship  never  to  be  for- 
gotten, sweet  foretaste  of  that  Sabbath  which 
never  ends,  and  that  congregation  never  to 
break  up.  With  the  sailor  articled  to  the  Cap- 
tian  of  our  salvation,  in  the  forecastle,  or  on  the 
deck,  we  have  enjoyed  the  sweet  hour  of  prayer, 
of  praise,  and  worship ;  so  with  the  soldier  true 
to  his  God  and  Saviour,  in  his  tent  on  the  field, 
or  languishing  in  the  hospital,  we  have  found 

that 

"  '  The  men  of  grace  have  found 
Glory  begun  below : 
Celestial  fruit  on  earthly  ground 
From  faith  and  hope  may  grow.' 

"  About  three  months  elapsed,  and  the  follow- 
ing letters  revived  the  memories  of  that  Sabbath 

and  its  precious  hours : 

"Fort  Columbus,  N.  Y.  Harbor,  \ 
Nov.  I,  1863.  \ 

"Rev.  Brother: — I  take  the  opportunity  of 

writing  you  a  few  lines,  for  it  seems  to  me  that 

I  owe  you  more  than  I  shall  ever  be  able  to  pay. 

I  have  seen  you  but   two  or   three  times,  and  I 


''OUR  HOSPITAL  CHAPEL."  8r 

may  never  see  you  again  on  earth,  but  I  hope  ta 

meet  you  in  heayen.      I  am  now  a  soldier  of  the 

Cross,  and  a  soldier  of  my  country,  and  I  hope  L 

shall  never  desert  my  colors.      I  told  you  that  if 

ever,  by  the  grace  of  God,  I  reached  heaven,  it 

was  your  hand  that   led  me  there.      God   bless 

you,  my  dear  Christian  brother,  and  that  is  all 

I  can  do  for  you,  who,  under  God,  has  done  sO' 

much   for  me.      I   can   write  no   more,  for  my~ 

heart  is  full  of  joy. 

"  Your  friend, 

"/\.  H.  '" 

"Having  conversed  with  so  many  soldiers,  I 
had  no  distinct  recollection  of  this  man.  I  at 
once  addressed  him  a  letter,  and  soon  received 
the  following'  reply : 

'  Thanks  for  your  kind  letter.  I  will  ex- 
plain to  you  where  I  met  you.  It  was  at  the 
chapel  in  Camp  Dennison,  Ohio.  I  heard  you 
preach  one  Sunday,  soon  after  the  church  was 
opened,  and  I  went  to  the  prayer  meeting,  after 
which  you  preached,  and  you  gave  an  invita- 
tion for  those  who  desired  to  serve  God,  to 
stand  up.  I  did  so,  and  you  may  remember 
that  I  took  you  by  the  hand  and  told  you  that 
by  the  grace  of  God  if  I   ever  reached  heaven,. 


■82  BEXJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

your  hand  had  led  me  there.  I  belong-  to  the 
regulars.  Our  Colonel  is  a  soldier  of  the  Cross, 
and  we  hold  prayer  meetings  three  times  a 
week.  I  have  a  fact  of  interest  to  tell  you. 
With  my  other  duties,  I  am  sexton  of  our 
chapel,  and  at  first  I  used  to  sleep  in  the  chapel. 
One  night,  quite  late,  I  awoke  by  hearing  the 
voice  of  prayer  in  the  entry ;  I  soon  discovered 
three  persons  there,      I  knew  the  voice  of  one 

of  them ;  it  was   Sergeant   B ,   who  teaches 

school  for  the  drummer  boys.  They  were  not 
a  little  surprised  when  I  opened  the  door  and 
invited  them  in.      I   ascertained  from  Sergeant 

B that  they  had   been  in  New  York  city  at 

a  prayer  meeting.  The  Sergeant,  by  his  influ- 
ence, and  the  divine  aid,  had  led  these  two 
dear  drummer  boys  to  the  feet  of  Jesus.  After 
prayer  with  thein  I  bid  them  good  night. 

'  Dear  Brother,  I  am  seeking  for  a  closer 
walk  with  God.  Pray  for  me ;  the  spirit  is  wil- 
ling, but  the  flesh  is  weak.  Pray  for  me  that 
-God  may  fill  my  soul  with  holy  courage,  that  I 
may  never  yield  to  sin,  that  I  may  always  stand 
true  to  the  banner  of  Jesus  Christ.  I  want  so 
to  live,  that  when  I  am  about  to  die  I  may  hear 
the  voice  of  Jesus  say  to  me: 


•'OUR  HOSPITAL  CHAPEL:'  Z^ 

'  Soldier  of  Christ,  well  done, 

Go  forth  from  earth's  employ; 
The  battle's  fought,  the  victor}-  won  ; 
Enter  thy  Master's  joy.' 

■*  My  prayers  are  often  offered  for  you.  God 
bless  you,  dear  Christian  friend,  and  all  your 
labors  of  love.      Your  brother  in  Christ, 

'a.    h.' 

*'Our  chapel  was  not  built  in  vain.  Within 
its  walls  sinners  have  been  converted  to  God, 
and  the  faith  of  believers  strengthened.  Sol- 
diers, sick  and  well,  are  found  anxious  to  enjoy 
the  means  of  grace.  Faith  made  heroes  of  old. 
Joshua,  Gideon  and  David  were  men  of  relig- 
ious principles  and  devout  life.  General  Have- 
lock  coitld  pray  in  the  jungles  of  India  while 
hastening  to  the  rescue  of  the  beleaguered  at 
Lucknow ;  Capt.  Hedley  Vicars,  in  the  trenches 
of  Sebastopol,  honored  his  Christian  profession 
by  a  godly  life  and  triutiiphant  faith.  General 
Mitchell,  the  devout  astronomer,  the  heroic  sol- 
dier, witnessed  for  Jesus  at  the  head  of  his  vic- 
torious army,  and  the  valiant  Admiral  Foote, 
with  his  officers  and  crew,  bowed  in  prayer  on 
the  deck  of  his  flag-ship  on  the  eve  of  battle 
and  of  victory.      The  i\merican  soldier,  true  to 


84  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

his  manhood,  his  God  and  his  country,  may  be 
a  valiant  soldier  of  the  Cross.  Amid  the  trials 
and  temptations  of  the  camp  and  the  perils  of 
the  battle-field,  he  may  enjoy  the  life  and  power 
of  religion.  Languishing-  from  disease,  or  suf- 
fering from  wounds,  faith  in  Jesus  is  his  un- 
failing support  and  abounding  consolation.  Re- 
ceiving from  the  icy  hand  of  death  his  final  dis- 
charge from  the  conflict  of  life,  he  will  find  it 
endorsed,  '  Good  and  faithful  servant,  enter 
thou  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord. ' 

"  Ministering  in  the  gospel  of  clean  clothes, 
soft  pillows,  nutritious  food  and  religious  con- 
solation, among  the  wounded  after  the  battle  of 
Perryville,  Ky.,  the  following  incident  occur- 
red: In  one  of  the  village  meeting-houses 
where  over  a  hundred  of  the  victims  of  the  bat- 
tle-field were  lying  on  the  floor,  two  brave  boys 
had  died  the  preceding  night,  and  their  bodies, 
waiting  for  burial,  were  tenderly  laid  in  a  cor- 
ner near  the  door  and  covered  with  a  blanket. 
Obtaining  the  consent  of  the  faithful  and  de- 
voted surgeon,  I  held  a  short  religious  service 
in  honor  of  the  fallen  heroes,  and  with  the  hope 
of  comforting  their  surviving  comrades,  some 
of  whom  were  evidently  approaching  life's  last 


''OUR  HOSPITAL  CHAPEL."  85 

hour  and  the  vast  eternity  that  lies  a  mysterious 
reality  just  beyond.  As  I  spoke  of  that  life  and 
immortality  brought  to  light  in  the  gospel,  and 
of  Him  who  is  the  resurrection  and  the  life,  and 
who  whispers  in  the  ear  of  fainting  humanity 
trusting  in  his  power  to  save,  '  Because  I  live, 
ye  shall  live  also,'  many  bosoms  moved  with 
deep  emotion,  and  eyes  of  brave  men  were 
filled  with  tears.  On  the  left  lay  a  wounded 
man  with  not  many  daj's  to  live,  but  evidently 
with  a  soul  in  full  sympathy  with  hope  beyond 
the  grave. 

"  He  struggled  with  his  emotions,  but  the 
swelling  tide  could  not  be  repressed.  Bringing 
his  hands  together,  he  exclaimed,  '  Glory  to 
God  for  the  hope  of  eternal  life  through  Jesus 
Christ  my  Lord.' 

' '  On  those  straw  pallets  were  other  sufferers 
ready  to  echo  the  same  rapturous  and  glowing 
words,  prompted  by  the  same  experience  of 
Christ,  made  unto  them  of  God,  wisdom,  right- 
eousness, sanctification,  and  redemption.  At 
the  close  of  our  service  I  inquired  of  that  dear 
brother  as  to  the  ground  of  his  faith  and  his 
joy.  'Yes,  I  love  Jesus;  and  He  loves  me,' 
was  his  prompt  response  and  his  blessed  expe- 


86  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHI DLAIV. 

rience.  vStancling  at  the  side  of  this  soldier  of 
the  Cross,  now  at  the  portals  of  death,  waitingf 
orders  from  the  Captain  of  his  salvation,  I  could 
but  exclaim,  '  Thanks  be  to  God,  which  giveth 
us  the  victory,  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,' 
and  to  repeat  in  his  ears  those  sweet  words: 

'  In  the  furnace  God  will  try  thee, 

Thence  to  bring  thee  forth  more  bright ; 

He  can  never  cease  to  love  thee, 
Thou  art  precious  in  his  sight.' 

"  In  making  my  way  to  the  door,  passing  be- 
tween two  rows  of  sufferers,  I  felt  some  one 
pull  at  my  coat.  I  turned  around,  and  a  poor 
fellow  said,  '  Preacher,  are  you  in  a  hurry  ?' 
'  No,  my  friend  ;  what  do  you  wish  ?'  '  Well, 
I  am  not  like  John,  over  there;  he  is  ready  to 
die,  and  knows  what  is  to  become  of  him  after 
death.  I  am  not  like  him ;  tell  me.  Oh  tell  me 
what  I  must  do  to  be  saved  ?'  Poor  man,  he 
had  neglected  his  soul's  salvation  and  the  Bible; 
deep  darkness  brooded  over  his  awakened  mind ; 
and  he  was  evidently  honestly  and  earnestly  in- 
quiring the  way  to  be  saved.  Blessed  privilege 
to  tell  him  of  Jesus,  the  sinner's  friend — of  the 
salvation  of  the  dying  thief  on  the  cross,  who 
trusted    Him.      The   prayer    of    the   publican, 


^'Oi'R  HOSPITAL  CHAPEL."  87- 

'God.  be  merciful  to  me,  a  sinner,'  filled  his 
soul,  and  found  utterance  from  his  lips — and 
who  can  doubt  that  it  reached  the  ears  of  our 
merciful  and  faithful  High  Priest,  'who  can  have 
compassion  on  the  ignorant,  and  them  that  are 
out  of  the  way.'  wSoldier,  reader,  if  your  sin  is. 
a  burden  on  your  soul;  if  you  are  in  the  dark, 
go  to  the  mercy-seat  and  tell  Jesus;  go  just 
now;  go  just  as  you  are.  All  the  fitness  he  re- 
quireth  is  to  feel  your  need  of  Him. 

"  On  board  of  a  steamer  passing  down  the 
Ohio  river,  was  a  detachment  of  troops  on  their 
way  to  the  front.  On  the  guards  of  the  boat, 
separated  from  his  comrades,  I  observed  a 
young  soldier  seated  on  a  box  reading  a  Testa- 
ment. It  was  a  very  pleasant  sight,  and  with 
emotions  of  deep  interest  my  eye  rested  on  the 
attentive  reader.  In  a  little  time  a  soldier  ap- 
proached the  youth,  rudely  removing  his  cap, 
and  words  of  ridicule  and  derision  fell  from  his 
lips.  I  trembled  for  the  soldier-boy,  and  a  si- 
lent prayer  was  offered  in  his  behalf,  that  the 
thoughtless  indignity  and  ridicule  of  his  com- 
rade might  not  overcome  his  integrity  in  the 
hour  of  provocation  and  trial. 

"  The  young  soldier  bore    it    all  with   meek- 


'S8  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLA  W. 

ness,  made  no  resentment,  but  quietly  regain- 
ing his  place  on  the  box,  resumed  the  reading 
of  his  precious  book. 

•'  There  was  the  true  hero,  and  moral  courage 
•of  the  purest  type !  In  the  hour  of  temptation 
he  maintained  his  integrity  and  dared  to  do 
right.  His  conduct  deeply  impressed  my  mind. 
In  a  few  moments  I  approached  the  dear  youth, 
laid  my  hand  on  his  shoulder,  and  with  a  few 
kind  words  of  Christian  sympathy  made  his  ac- 
quaintance. He  told  me  of  a  pious  and  faithful 
mother,  and  of  vSabbath-school  instruction ;  that 
he  loved  the  Word  of  God,  and  had  taken  it 
for  the  guide  of  his  youth.  I  told  him  that 
with  trembling  solicitude  I  had  watched  his 
conduct  when  rudely  treated  and  ridiculed  by 
his  comrade — ^that  I  greatly  admired  his  un- 
flinching firmness,  his  gentleness  and  triumph. 
He  replied  in  these  touching  words :  '  Oh  yes, 
I  could  stand  all  that,  for  I  was  doing  what  my 
mother  told  me  to  do ;  that  I  must  not  let  a  day 
pass  without  reading  the  Word  of  God,  and 
thinking  about  my  soul.'  Thus  taught  of  his 
beloved  mother,  this  soldier-boy,  faithful  to 
those  godly  teachings,  was  well  prepared  to 
meet  temptations  and  to  maintain  his  integrity. 


"■OUR  HOSPITAL  CHAPELS  89 

"  Brave  youth  I  the  Lord  God  of  the  armies 
of  Israel  keep  thee  in  the  hollow  of  his  hand, 
and  abundantly  reward  thy  godly  mother, 
whose  words  of  truth  were  so  deeply  engraved 
on  thy  manly  heart." 


CHAPTER  VII. 
RESIGAATIOX  OF   CHAPLAINCY. 

MR.    CHIDLAWS  very  extended  and  effi- 
cient  labors  as  a  Chaplain   were  eventu- 
ally interrupted  by  the  failure  of  his  health, 

By  advice  of  army  surgeons  he  resigned  his 
Chaplaincy;  at  his  age  (then  about  50),  the  ex- 
posure of  active  service  had  undermined  his 
strength.  One  who  knew  him  well,  writes: 
"  Of  all  the  men  of  our  acquaintance,  beseemed 
the  best  fitted  by  nature  and  grace  for  that  im- 
portant duty.  But  when  we  remembered  his 
comparatively  frail  physique,  we  feared  much 
that  he  would  only  last  to  enter  upon  his  work."' 
He  retired  North ;  but  his  restless  nature  could 
not  long  brook  inactivity.  Having  regained  his. 
health,  he  resumed  his  public  labors  in  behalf 
of  the  Sunday-school  cause,  and,  with  pen  and 
tongue,  exerted  himself  in  defence  of  the 
Union. 

Such  notices  as  these  frequently  appeared  in 
the  papers : 


RESIGXATION  OF  CHAPLAIXCY 


91 


ARMY  MEETING 

FOR   THE 
SOLDIERS  IX   THE   HOSPITAL  AND   FREEDMEX   OF   THE 

SOUTH. 

Rev.  B.  W.  Chidlaw,  IMissionary  of  the  A.  S. 
S.  Union,  and  late  Chaplain  in  the  U.  S.  Army 
in  ?^Iissonri,  will  give  his  experience  of  Camp 
Life  among'  the  Soldiers,  at  the  New  England 
Church,  South  9th  Street,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. ,  on 
Thursday  evening,  May  15th,  commencing  at 
7  ;45  o'clock.  Every  one  that  loves  his  country, 
and  its  brave  suffering  soldiers,  should  hear 
this  veteran  and  eloquent  Missionary  relate  his 
story.  It  abounds  in  narratives  of  thrilling  in- 
terest. 

A  Collection  will  be  taken  for  the  benefit  of 
the  sick  and  wounded  Soldiers,  to  be  expended 
by  Rev.  ]\Ir.  Chidlaw,  who  expects  soon  to  re- 
turn to  his  work  among  the  Hospitals  in  the 
West  and  South." 

(From  the  Nezv  York  Observer.) 
"That  devoted,  heroic  Chaplain  of  an  Ohio 
regiment.  Rev.  Mr.  Chidlaw,  was  in  the  meet- 
ing. His  regiment  is  at  Pittsburgh  Landing, 
or  beyond,  lying  in  front  of  the  enemy.  He  said 
that  some  time  last  summer  he  spent  weeks  and 


92  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

months  among  the  Ohio  regiments  as  a  mission- 
ary— a  vohmteer — doing  good  as  he  had  oppor- 
tunity. At  length  he  had  a  regular  appointment 
as  Chaplain,  and  he  had  been  with  his  '  boys  ' 
until  his  health  broke  down,  and  he  was  com- 
pelled to  leave  for  a  season  to  recriiit  it. 

"  He  told  of  sickness  and  death  which  he  had 
witnessed  in  the  camp.  *  *  *  One  man 
died,  saying  he  had  never  read  a  chapter  in  the 
Bible  in  his  life,  never  had  attended  a  place  of 
public  worship  on  the  Sabbath ;  and  when  en- 
tering the  dark  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death, 
he  sent  for  the  Chaplain,  saying  in  his  own 
Western  language  that '  he  was  powerfully  afraid 
to  die.'  The  man  was  from  Missouri.  And  he 
died  uttering  his  fears. 

"  He  spoke  of  another  young  inan,  who  had 
been  a  Sunday-school  scholar.       *  *  * 

■*  How  do  you  feel  about  dying?  "  asked  the  Chap- 
lain. '  Oh ! '  answered  the  lad,  '  I  am  ready,  I 
am  not  afraid  to  die.  I  believe  in  Jesus,  He 
is  my  trust  and  I  commit  my  all  to  Him.  I  am 
not  afraid  to  die,'  And  in  a  joyful  state  the 
poor  lad  passed  away  from  our  view." 
(From  a  Western  Paper.) 

"While  in  the  city   I  met  Mr.  Chidlaw,  the 


RESIG.VA  TION  OF  CHA  PLAINC  Y.  93 

famous  Sunday-schoolman,  my  college-mate  and 
early  Christian  friend,  to  whom  as  Christ's  ser- 
vant I  owe  much  for  the  type  of  my  early  life. 
He  heard  my  rapid  story,  handed  me  $3,  pro- 
mised a  larger  sum  hereafter  and  his  interces- 
sions when  they  may  be  worth  to  us  thousands 
a  few  years  hence,  and,  just  like  him,  the  next 
minute  was  out  of  sight." 

That  the  ordinarily  serious  Welshman  could 
appreciate  humor  upon  occasion  may  be  infer- 
red from  this  bit  of  army  news,  which  the  pat- 
riotic soul  doubtless  greatly  enjoyed    retailing: 

"  Rev.  B.  W.  Chidlaw,  who  has  just  returned 
from  Nashville,  says  that  he  saw  marching- 
through  the  streets  of  that  city,  a  coinpany  of 
some  fifty  or  more  soldiers,  in  night  caps.  They 
were  called  the  '  Night  Cap  Brigade. '  They  had 
been  disgraced  for  delivering  themselves  up  to 
the  enemy  in  order  to  get  home  on  parole.  The 
caps  were  made  of  cotton  cloth,  and  had  large 
frills." 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

SANITARY  COMMISSION  WORK. 


g  »  UT  of  the  exigfencies  of  the  war  and  the  ne- 


cessities of  our  brave  men  at  the  front,  as 
is  well-known,  grew  the  beneficent  organization 
termed  the  "  vSanitary  Commission. "  Mr.  Chid- 
law's  sympathies  were  naturally  early  enlisted 
in  its  behalf ;  and  when  debarred  from  engaging 
further  in  the  work  of  the  army  chaplainship, 
upon  the  partial  restoration  of  his  health,  he 
became  increasingly  and  heartily  involved  in 
these  generous  ministries  to  the  bodily  needs  of 
the  men  at  the  front,  as  will  appear  from  a 
series  of  letters  from  his  pen: 

"Cincinnati,  June  i8,  1862. 
"The  hospitals  in  the  city  are  not  much 
•crowded  now.  They  are  in  a  good  condition, 
.and  a  poor  invalid  soldier  is  well  cared  for. 
Through  the  kindness  of  friends  I  have  sus- 
pended the  '  vSilent  Comforter'  on  their  walls, 
and  the  eyes  of  man}"  have  thereby  read  of 
Christ,  and  hope  and  heaven.  At  Camp  Denni- 
son,  12  miles  out  of  the  city,  I  found  ample  pro- 


SANITARY  COMMISSION  iVORA'.  95 

visions  to  meet  the  wants  of  the  sick  and 
wounded.  Here  was  a  mother  watching  a  dying 
son ;  both  rejoiced  in  Christ  as  their  personal 
Saviour,  and  tenderly  spoke  of  his  love.  This 
mother  told  me  that  her  husband,  another  son, 
and  a  son  in-law  were  in  the  army ;  she  thanked 
God  that  she  had  such  a  family,  loyal  to  Christ 
and  loyal  to  their  country,  and  that  Divine  grace 
sustained  her  in  this  day  of  trial  and  bereave- 
ment. With  her  kind  hand  she  wiped  the  brow 
of  her  soldier  boy,  and  bedewed  his  couch  with 
her  tears,  but  murmured  not  a  word." 

"St.  Louis,  Mo.,  June  20,  1862. 

"  In  spending  a  few  days  in  the  hospitals,  in- 
troducing the  '  vSilent  Comforter,'  and  other 
good  reading,  conversing  with  the  afflicted, 
praying  at  the  bedside  of  the  dying,  and  hold- 
ing religious  service  among  the  convalescents, 
the  surgeons,  stewards  and  nurses  afforded  me 
■every  facility  I  could  wish,  and  frequently  ex- 
pressed a  sympathy  with  my  labors  which  cheer- 
ed my  heart. 

"On  leaving  a  ward,  after  hanging  up  the 
*  Silent  Comforter, '  and  conversing  with  sev- 
eral of  the  sufferers,  a  nurse  told  me,  '  A  man 
wants  you  to  talk  to  him. '     I  returned,  found  a 


96  BESJAMJX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

young-  man  ven,'  low,  evidently  on  the  crum- 
bling verge  of  time.  His  respiration  was  diffi- 
cult and  he  whispered  feebly,  '  I  cannot  talk 
much.  Speak  to  me  of  Jesus  Christ  and  pray 
for  me. '  His  eye  was  bright,  his  mind  un- 
clouded, and  his  face  beamed  with  smiles,  while 
I  talked  of  Him  whom  his  soul  loved,  the  sin- 
ner's friend,  death's  destroyer,  and  eternal  life. 

' '  Another  sufferer  with  whom  I  had  conversed 
and  prayed,  said.  'It  is  a  blessed  thing  to  die 
looking  up. '  I  inquired,  '  And  what  does  my 
soldier  brother  behold?'  'Christ  and  heaven,' 
was  his  prompt  and  enthusiastic  reply." 

'■  Perrvville,  Nov.  13,  1862. 

"  In  a  ward  where  I  left  ten  hymn  books,  a 
convalescent  soldier  said,  '  Boys,  this  is  just 
what  we  want,  we  can  now  sing  the  hymns  we 
used  to  at  home.'  Clean  clothes,  soft  pillows, 
and  kind  words,  are  just  the  introduction  we 
need  as  ministers  of  Christ  to  carry  our  books 
and  to  preach  the  Gospel  in  the  wards  of  our 
hospitals. 

"The  battle-field, — two  miles  from  Perry- 
ville,  where  fifty  to  sixty  thousand  men  met  on 
the  8th  of  October,  in  deadly  conflict,  and  in  less 
than  six  hours  7,000  were  killed  or  wounded — 


SAXITARV  COMMISSION  WORK.  97- 

was  visited  in  company  with  an  officer  who  had 
participated  in  the  fight.  Evidences  of  fright- 
ful carnage  were  seen,  on  entering  the  field  of 
death,  in  hundreds  of  graves,  trees,  fences,, 
houses  and  barns  riddled  with  the  missiles  of 
death,  the  decaying  carcasses  of  horses,  wreck 
of  batteries,  accoutrements  and  clothing  which 
strewed  the  field. 

"  While  passing  over  the  battle-field,  we  were- 
told  that  some  forty  of  our  severely  wounded 
men  were  at  the  Antioch  Hospital,  three  miles 
ofi:.  Here  we  saw  these  brave,  patient,  uncom- 
plaining men  almost  every  one  having  suffered 
amputation.  I  promised  to  relieve  them,  and 
held  religious  services,  in  which  they  engaged 
with  evident  interest.  Fifty  had  been  buried 
from  this  hospital  since  the  battle,  and,  I  fe  ar,, 
several  others  cannot  recover.  From  Perry- 
ville  I  sent  them,  through  the  kindness  of  the 
Cleveland  ladies,  who  had  supplies,  dried  ap- 
ples, onions,  potatoes,  chocolate,  etc.  ;  and  from 
the  remnants  of  the  twenty -eight  boxes  in  my 
charge  at  Lebanon,  I  hope  to  send  them  canned 
fruit,  clothing,  and  books  which  will  meet  their 
present  wants. 

"The  thousands  of  soldiers  now  in  our  hos- 


g8  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CIIIDLA  W. 

pitals,  in  the  wake  of  the  great  army  of  the  west, 
have  strong  claims  upon  our  earnest  and  gene- 
rous efforts  to  mitigate  their  sufferings,  and 
save  their  precious  lives.  The  Christian  and 
Sanitary  Commissions  need  and  tnust  have  our 
aid  in  the  relief  of  those  noble  men  who  have 
imperiled  their  all  for  us.  Government  medi- 
cal supplies  are  provided,  but  this  is  not  all  that 
the  afflicted  soldier  needs.  The  kind  hearts  and 
willing  hands  of  our  wives,  mothers  and  sisters 
must  meet  this  necessity.  They  must  have 
money  to  purchase  yarn,  flannel,  sheeting,  etc. 
We,  the  husbands,  fathers,  brothers  and  friends 
must  furnish  them  with  the  material  and  the 
work  wall  be  done  well  and  promptly." 

"New  York,  Jan.  30,  1863. 
"  The  state  of  the  country  is  trying  men's 
souls.  Timid  people,  and  those  absorbed  in  the 
pursuit  of  gain  and  devoted  to  pleasure,  are 
showing  weakness  in  the  knees.  Rebel  sympa- 
thizers cry  peace,  peace,  but  afford  no  practical 
plan,  or  a  gleam  of  hope  to  preserve  the  Union, 
and  maintain  the  government.  Pro-slaveryism 
sees  nothing  but  ruin,  if  the  peculiar  institu- 
tion is  not  sacredly  preserved.      But  the  masses 


SAX/TAJ? } '  COMMJSSIOX  U  'ORk'.  g  g 

of  the  people  have  faith  in  God,  and  are  deter- 
mined to  crush  the  rebellion  at  all  hazards." 

Rev.  Mr.  Chidlaw  then  describes  a  regiment 
recruited  under  circumstances  of  more  than 
ordinary  interest. 

"St.    Louis,   Mo.,    March  23. 

"The  37th  Regiment  Iowa  Volunteer  In- 
fantry is  made  up  of  men  over  forty-five  years 
€ld,  and  is  now  quartered  in  Schofield  Barracks 
in  this  city,  doing  provost  duty.  Two  of  its 
members  are  over  eighty  years  old,  hale,  noble 
looking  veterans,  and  good  for  hard  service. 
About  600  are  members  of  Christian  churches ; 
twent3'-eight  are  ministers  of  the  gospel ;  all  the 
staff  officers  are  religious  men.  Most  of  these 
veterans  left  farms  and  comfortable  homes,  and 
have  sons  and  grandsons  in  the  service.  One 
of  these  members,  evidently  hard  on  to  the 
seventieth  mile-stone  in  life's  journey,  and  look- 
ing rather  feeble — when  I  suggested  that  he 
would  need  a  discharge  from  the  service,  the 
old  man  straightened  up,  the  fires  of  youth 
flashing  from  his  eyes,  and  said:  'No,  sir;  I 
■enlisted  to  fight  rebels  and  to  crush  rebellion, 
and  not  to  be  discharged  till  the  work  is  done. 
I  quit  playing  baby  fifty  years  ago,  when  I  was 


lOO  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

twenty-one  years  old;'  adding-,  '  I  am  in  earnest 
for  God  and  my  country. ' 

"On  Sunday,  the  writer  was  invited  to  hold 
divine  service  in  their  barracks.  At  the  ap- 
pointed hour  the  '  Grey-Beards, '  in  their  neat 
and  clean  uniforms,  truly  soldier-like,  officers 
and  privates,  gathered  around  him,  and  heard 
with  fixed  attention  the  words  of  eternal  life. 
This  remarkable  regiment  is  an  honor  to  the 
State  of  Iowa,  to  their  own  manhood  and  the 
glorious  cause  for  which  they  are  willing  to  live, 
suffer  and  to  die.  God  bless  the  veterans  of 
Iowa." 

Rev.  Mr.  Chid  law's  addresses  were  a  very 
potent  factor  in  arousing  and  shaping  public  opin- 
ion as  to  the  great  issues  and  grave  responsibili- 
ties of  the  war.  As  a  fearless,  outspoken  loy- 
alist none  excelled  him.  People  never  wearied 
of  hearing  this  man  of  God.  Wherever  he  went 
he  was  received  with  cordialit}-  and  heard  with 
enthusiasm.  The  high  and  influential  quality 
of  his  address  was  attested  by  many  press  no- 
tices,  such  as  the  following: 

"The  army  meeting  Sabbath  evening  *  *  * 
is  anticipated  with  much  interest.  *  *  *  Rev. 
B.  W.  Chidlaw.  of  Cincinnati,  has  been  one  of 


SAXITAR  \ '  COMMISSIOX  irORfC.  i  o  I 

those  Chaplains  that  have  secured  the  love  of 
his  regiment,  and  the  confidence  and  respect  of 
all  who  know  him.  He  never  fails  to  interest 
his  audience." 

Sheridan  said  of  Rowland  Hill:  "I  always 
love  to  hear  Hill,  for  the  words  come  red-hot 
from  his  heart."  So  we  and  all  may  feel  con- 
cerning our  friend,  the  soldier's  friend,  and  ev- 
erybody's friend — Rev.  B.  W.  Chidlaw. 

The  man  and  his  oratory  were  well  described 
by  such  paragraphs  as  these  from  the  public 
press : 

"  For  more  than  half  a  century  Rev.  B.  W. 
Chidlaw  has  been  the  Presbyterian  Moody  of 
the  Ohio  Valley.  Welsh -born,  he  inherited  the 
Christmas  Evans  style  of  energy  and  elo- 
quence." 

"  If  Rev.  Mr.  Chidlaw  were  to  rise  in  an  au- 
dience now,  where  he  was  unknown,  nobody 
in  that  audience  would  need  to  be  told  that 
somebod}'  had  the  floor." 

"  He  is  still  Chidlaw — that  is  to  say,  one  of 
the  most  provokijig  men  you  ever  heard.  You 
cannot  hear  him  without  feeling  that  you  are  a 
slow  coach,  that  you  must  jump  round  and 
pitch  in." 


102  BEX  JAM  IN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

This  last  assertion  finds  an  echo  in  a  refer- 
ence in  the  Religions  Telescope,  where  he 
is  alluded  to  as  "the  indefatigable,  the  irre- 
pressible Chidlaw,  whose  praise  is  in  all  the 
churches,  and  who  has  energy  enough  to 
set  a  dozen  common  men  spinning  like  a  top." 

At  a  large  and  enthusiastic  army  meeting 
held  in  St.  Louis,  March  24,  1863,  Mr.  Chid- 
law announced  as  the  subject  of  his  remarks: 
"The  Army  and  Navy  as  Fields  of  Philan- 
thropic and  Christian  Efforts." 

He  referred  to  these  fields  as  new  and  pecu- 
liar, wide  and  important,  often  difficult,  but 
always  hopeful  and  encouraging.  The  devel- 
opment and  culture  of  the  moral  and  religious 
elements  in  the  service  were  urgently  pressed 
by  facts  and  arguments.  Good  men  made 
good  soldiers  and  sailors.  Good  principles, 
foundation  stones  of  truth  in  the  soul,  secure 
integrity,  true  loyalty  and  unflinching  bravery. 

Faith  in  God,  he  said,  made  heroes  of  old, 
and  so  it  will  now.  Hedley  Vicars,  in  the 
siege  of  vSebastopool,  and  Henry  Havelock,  in 
the  jungles  of  India,  were  men  of  strong  reli- 
gious principles  and  godly  life.  ' '  Fight  for  the 
flag,  and  live  by  the  Cross,"  is  a  glorious  power 


SAXITARY  COMMISSIOX  WORK'.  103 

in  our  great    struggle   for  national   life,    and  it 
will  surely  win.     The  appliances  for  the  devel- 
opment and  strengthening  of  the  religious  ele- 
menti  n  the  army   were   then    presented.      The 
official  agency — the  chaplainship,  and  the  volun- 
tary— the  Sanitary  and  Christian   commissions, 
were  unfolded  in  their  power  and  adaptation.  He 
dwelt  at  length  upon  the  work,  the  difficulties 
and  results  of  the  labors  of  chaplains  who  were 
adapted  for  and  fully  devoted  to  their  true  mis- 
sion in  the  camp,  on  the  field,  and  at  the  hospital. 
He  had  seen  and  addressed  ten  thousand  noble 
soldiers  invited  to  Divine  worship  by  the  distin- 
guished presiding  officer  (Major-General  Curtis) 
when  in  command  at  Benton  Barracks.  Religious 
and  iniscellaneous  reading  the  soldiers  always 
appreciated  and  thankfully  received.   The  brave 
soldier,  imperriling  his  life  for  his  country  and 
his  Government,  does  not  become  an  outcast — 
does  not  necessarily  ignore  the  teachings  of  his 
youth,  or   desert    the   altars  around  which  his 
parents  taught  him  to  revere  and  worship  God. 
Patriotism  and  religion  impel  us  to  the  duty 
of  providing  for  the    spiritual   as  well  as  the 
physical  wants  of  the  soldier  and  sailor.     The 
Church  of  Christ,  the  true  religious  sentiment  of 


i  04  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLA  W. 

the  land,  must  give  power  and  efficacy  to  the 
labors  of  the  Christian  Commission — then  the 
•soldier  will  feel  that  magnetic  influence  which 
thrills  his  soul,  and  tells  him  that  he  has  strong, 
•earnest  and  reliable  friends  in  his  rear. 

Rev.  Mr.   Chidlaw  closed  his  remarks  in   an 
urgent  appeal  for  aid,  referring  to  an  ancient 
Tnedal  with  an  ox  standingbef.'"een  the  plow  and 
an  altar,  encircled  with  this  inscription :  '  Ready 
for  either — to  toil  at  the  plow  or  bleed  on  the 
■altar. '     In   suppressing  this  wicked  and  gigan- 
tic rebellion,  he  said  feelingly:  "  In  vindicating 
:and   sustaining    the  authority  of   the  Govern- 
ment, we  must  partake  of  this  self-sacrificing 
and  heroic  spirit.     A  million  of  noble  hearts  are 
read)'  to  bleed  on  the  altar — thousands  have  al- 
read)*   bled,    martyrs   in    a   glorious    and   holy 
•cause.      Let  us  who  stay  home,  toil  and  suffer, 
that  the  brave  men — the  living  wall  between  us 
and  the  uplifted  arm  of  treason,  madly,  wickedh' 
assailing  all  that  is  dear  in  our  homes,  our  sanc- 
tuaries,   our  laws  and  our  Government,  let  us 
have  faith  in  God,  faith  in  each  other,  faith  in 
the  Government,  and  soon  peace  and  union  will 
Mess  our  land." 

This  address  was  one  of  his  happiest   efforts 


S.-4XITARV  COMMISSIO.y  JVORK.  105 

— earnest,  Christian,  patriotic,  and  overflowing 
with  love  to  the  siiiTerers ;  and  to  Him  who  has 
shed  His  precious  blood  for  them. 

At  its  close  Gen.  Strong  was  introduced.  He 
said,  "  I  asked  the  chairman  of  the  Army  Com- 
mittee who  is  to  speak?"  "  Rev.  B.  W.  Chidlaw," 
was  the  reply.  "Then,"  said  I,  "You  have 
enough,  and,  (turning  to  the  audience),  have  you 
not  had?" 

We  continue  the  story  in  Mr.  Chidlaw's  words : 
"Memphis,  April  20,  . 

"We  arrived  here  on  Saturday,  discharged 
stores  for  the  hospitals  here  and  at  Corinth,  and 
tied  up  for  the  Sabbath. 

"  In  the  hospitals,  which  are  in  a  very  good 
condition,  are  nearly  i.ooo  inmates,  and  in  the 
■convalescent  camp  within  Fort  Pickering,  an 
•equal  number.  Here  we  found  that  books  and 
tracts  were  much  needed  and  eagerly  sought 
after.  The  work  of  distribution  over,  and  the 
last  rays  of  the  vSabbath  sun  falling  on  us 
athwart  the  smooth  surface  of  the  "  Father  of 
Waters,"  we  selected  an  open  space  in  the  midst 
•of  the  tents,  and  commenced  preaching  Jesus  to 
a  few  who  surrounded  us,  and  in  a  few  moments 
a  large  crowd  attentively  heard  the  message  of 

G 


I06  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

salvation;  and  at  the  close,  gratefully  acknowl- 
edged their  appreciation  of  this  small  token  of 
interest  m  their  spiritual  welfare." 

"Yesterday, — Sabbath- — at  an  early  hour, 
mounted  on  a  '  charger, '  through  the  kindness 
of  a  friend,  I  visited  the  beautiful  camp  of  the 
5th  Ohio  Cavalry.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Heath 
gave  me  a  very  cordial  welcome.  The  boys 
soon  gathered  around  me,  and  we  had  a  good 
time  in  greeting  old  acquaintances  and  forming 
new  ones.  Cleves,  Miamitown,  and  Elizabeth- 
town  were  well  represented  by  a  noble  and  sol- 
dierly band  of  men.  *  *  *  Qq\  Taylor 
was  not  in  the  camp,  but  at  the  invitation  of 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Heath,  we  talked  to  the  men 
on  religion  and  patriotism,  and  gave  them 
'  something  good  to  read. '  The  boys  are  '  pow- 
erfully '  down  on  copperhead  peace-mongers  at 
home,  and  wish  all  their  true  friends  to  know 
it.  The  gallant  5th  O.  V.  C.  is  all  right;  the 
dash  of  their  charges,  the  heavy  blows  of  their 
sabres,  and  their  well-aimed  carbines,  will,  as 
heretofore,  tell  the  traitors  in  the  front  and 
rear,  their  devotion  to  the  old  flag  and  the  Gov- 
ernment in  the  hour  of  peril." 

(Describing  a  convalescent  camp,   two   miles 


SAXITAR  \ ■  COMMISSIOX  II 'ORK.  I  O  7 

below  Milliken's  Bend  on  a  fine  plantation,)  he 
says : 

Youxg's  Point,  La.,  April  26. 

"  The  planter's  mansion  surrounded  with 
blooming  magnolias,  fragrant  vines,  and  beauti- 
ful flowers;  the  overseer's  house,  the  quarters, 
and  a  line  of  tents,  were  occupied  by  about 
thirteen  hundred  of  our  brave  men — cheerful, 
and  most  of  them  rapidly  recovering.  As  we 
discharged  our  cargo,  hundreds  of  hearts  throb- 
bed with  joy,  as  they  felt  that  they  were  not 
forgotten  by  friends  at  home.  In  one  of  the 
quarters  neat  and  comfortable,  occupied  by 
twenty  or  twenty-five  men,  while  distributing 
reading  matter,  one  of  the  men  with  a  full  heart 
said :  '  Bless  God  for  what  you  are  doing.  You 
feed  the  body  and  the  soul.  That  is  what  we 
need.      Thank  God  for  friends  at  home  I ' 

"  This  encampment  is  in  sight  of  Vicksburg. 
A  few  nights  ago,  six  transports  ran  the  block- 
ade ;  one  was  wrecked,  the  others  landed  nearly 
600,000  rations.  The  belching  of  a  hundred  can- 
nons was  terrific,  and  made  the  earth  tremble. 
On  one  of  the  boats,  the  framework  on  which 
the  pilot  stood — (Ab.  Karns,  of  the  30th  O.  V. 
I.,  who  volunteered  his  services) — was  torn  to 


Io8  BENJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

pieces  by  a  ball,  but  the  brave  soldier  re-ar- 
ranged the  frag-ments,  and  stood  at  the  wheel, 
"but  in  a  few  moments  a  deadly  missile  cut  him 
in  pieces.  Another  kindred  spirit  grasped  the 
wheel,  and  continued  the  transport  on  her 
•course. 

"  Near  Milliken's  Bend,  in  a  very  large  camp — 
>(Gen.  Logan's  division,) — I  was  invited  to  hold 
religious  service,  and  with  two  fellow  laborers, 
Brothers  Brunell  and  Reynolds,  preached  the 
precious  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  to  two  brigades. 
The  sun  was  declining  behind  the  gorgeous 
forest  trees  in  our  rear ;  two  immense  congrega- 
tions were  assembled ;  in  the  centre  of  these  cir- 
cles of  upturned  heads,  with  a  supply  of  publi- 
cations for  distribution,  we  stood  in  the  name 
of  our  exalted  Master,  and  spoke  His  precious 
words  of  love  and  salvation  to  these  vast  as- 
semblies, who  were  under  marching  orders  and 
approaching  the  frowning  batteries  of  an  en- 
trenched enemy.  *  *  *  Chaplains  in 
the  field  have,  at  best,  a  trying  and  difficult  posi- 
tion ;  they  need  the  real  sympathy  of  the  churches 
and  ministers.  Let  us  do  something  to  help 
them.  Write  to  them,  sending  them  reading 
matter,  and  visit  them  at    their  post    of  duty. 


SA.XITAR  ]  •  COMMISS/O.X  irORA^  i  o 9 

In  the  Revolutionary  struggle,  our  Wither- 
spoons,  our  Caldwells,  our  Duffields,  our  Bishop 
Whites,  represented  the  Church  of  Christ,  and 
wh)^  should  not  our  ministers  leave  their  high 
places  on  the  walls  of  Zion  at  home  and  go  to 
the  front,  among  our  brave  but  exposed  sol- 
diers? Much  depends  on  the  development  and 
culture  of  the  religioiis  element  in  the  army, 
and  the  American  Church  has  no  higher  mission 
to-day,  than  awaits  it  in  our  immense  army ;  here 
its  highest  ministerial  gifts,  its  richest  experi- 
ence and  liberal  contributions,  will  find  a  work 
which  God  will  approve  and  bless." 

"  Young's  Point,  La.,  May  4,  1863. 

"From  Cairo,  111.,  to  this  place,  a  distance 
of  six  hundred  miles,  most  of  the  plantations  on 
both  sides  of  the  river  are  abandoned  and  deso- 
late. No  furrow  upturned,  no  growing  corn 
or  cotton  did  we  see ;  fences  gone  by  flood  or 
fire,  houses  and  quarters  destroyed,  and  all  a 
perfect  waste.  In  the  interior,  to  a  fearful  ex- 
tent, the  same  sad  condition  exists.  "Sly  heart 
sickens  at  the  sight  of  these  terrible  devasta- 
tions and  sufferings,  the  inevitable  result  of 
the  madness  and  wickedness  of  the  slave  power 


no  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHID  LAW. 

to   destroy  the  best   Government  ever  known. 
"  Surely  the  way  of  the  transgressor  is  hard. " 

"  The  treason  of  the  master  having  removed 
the  manacles  of  the  slave,  thousands  are  now 
boldly  and  nobly  striking  for  their  freedom,  not 
by  deeds  of  violence  and  blood,  but  orderly 
and  quietly.  On  the  banks  of  the  river  we 
frequently  saw  groups  of  these  panting  fugi- 
tives, men,  women  and  children,  with  their 
'  little  all, '  anxiou.sly  waiting  deliverance.  Gov- 
ernment transports  receive  them,  and  they  are 
taken  to  such  places  as  the  United  States  Com- 
missioners select,  where  they  are  furnished  with 
rations,  and  find  employment  on  abandoned 
plantations.  If  they  fall  into  the  hands  of  hu- 
mane, honest,  energetic  and  God-fearing  em- 
ployers, are  taught  habits  of  industry  and  econ- 
omy, instructed  in  the  Christian  faith  and  mor- 
als, supplied  with  implements  of  husbandry, 
food  and  clothing  (earned  by  their  labor),  their 
freedom  will  be  a  blessing  to  themselves  and  to 
their  country.  Everything  depends  upon  their 
proper  management  at  this  critical  period  of 
their  transition  from  bondage  to  freedom.  vSet 
to  work  promptly,  and  kindly  directed,  they 
can  raise  corn    and    cotton   in   abundance ;  but 


SANITARY  COMMISSION  jrORk'.  i  1 1 

the  season  is  passing,  and  I  fear  that  the  tardi- 
ness and  inefficiency  of  officials  in  whose  charge 
they  are,  will  result  in  grievous  injury  to  these 
poor  people,  and  render  their  support  a  seri- 
ous burden  to  the  Government.  Help  them  to 
help  themselves,  afford  them  protection,  teach 
them  self-reliance,  and  all  will  be  right." 

Rev.  Mr.  Chidlaw's  unfeigned  interest  in  the 
colored  people  is  evident  from  this  letter,  writ- 
ten from  Young's  Point,  May  4th,  1863: 

"At  Milliken's  Bend  three  transports  yester- 
day afternoon  landed  three  thousand  contra- 
bands from  plantations  in  the  rear  of  Green- 
ville, Miss.  They  camped  on  the  levee,  and 
such  a  scene  we  never  witnessed.  It  beggars 
description.  All  were  busy  and  cheerful ;  some 
receiving  rations,  some  kindling  fires,  and  oth- 
ers arranging  old  tents  and  boards^^into  a  shel- 
ter and  a  temporary  home.  I  spent  hours 
among  them,  found  many  who  love  Jesus,  and 
would  know  more  about  his  love]  andjpower  to 
save;  docile  as  little  children,  they  were  anx- 
ious to  receive  instruction.  I  heard  no  profan- 
ity among  them,  and  all  their  conduct  was  de- 
corous and  commendable.  One  poor  fellow, 
loud  in  his  expressions  of  joy  that  he~was  free. 


I  I  2  BEXJAMiy  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

said,  '  We  owe  dis  to  de  broklamation  of  de 
President  of  dese  United  vStates. '  An  older 
man,  with  great  seriousness,  added,  '  But  de 
Lord  had  de  biggest  hand  in  it. '  Very  man}'- 
of  these  people  are  religious,  but  in  great  need 
of  instruction.  Late  in  the  evening  several 
groups  held  worship.  Their  singing  and  pray- 
ers were  very  impressive.  The  religious  and 
social  elevation  of  these  people,  God's  poor  at 
our  doors,  is  a  work  of  love  and  mercy  ear- 
nestly appealing  to  the  church  of  Christ.  Here 
is  a  missionary  work  worthy  of  the  immediate 
and  earnest  efforts  of  every  Christian  and  patri- 
otic heart  in  the  land.  Providence  has  never 
opened  a  more  interesting  and  encouraging 
missionary  field.  Already  there  is  a  strong  re- 
ligious element  among  them — their  language  is 
ours,  and  elementary  books  of  instruction  and 
the  Bible  we  have  in  abundance.  All  things 
are  ready.  vShall  we  take  Ethiopia's  out- 
stretched hand  and  fill  it  with  Gospel  blessings, 
and  by  Christian  influences  elevate  and  cheer 
these  down-trodden  people  ?  The  hour  and  op- 
portunity are  come ;  we  have  it  in  our  power  to 
honor  God,  bless  our  country,  and  save  these 
perishing  people." 


s.-ix/r.-ij^v  co.v.v/ss/O-v  iro/?A'.  1 1  j. 

"Two  weeks  ag-o,  when  distributing  books, 
and  tracts  on  the  U.  wS.  Floating  Hospital 
'  Nashville,'  at  ^^lilliken's  Bend,  La.,  a  feeble 
voice  uttered  my  name.  This  brought  me  tO' 
the  cot  of  a  young  man,  feeble  and  emaciated. 
He  was  the  son  of  an  old  friend  in  Delaware 
Co.,  Ohio,  a  member  of  the  96th  regiment 
O.  V.  I.,  a  Christian  soldier,  a  youth  of  talent 
and  promise.  Enquiring  into  his  religious  ex- 
perience and  enjoyment  on  the  bed  of  lang-uish- 
ing,  with  a  placid  smile  he  replied,  '  /  a//i  Jiappy 
day  and  night ;  Jesus  is  uiy  all  711  all.'  We 
bowed  at  his  cot  and  besought  the  Lord  on  his 
behalf,  giving-  thanks  to  the  God  of  all  grace 
and  consolation,  that  our  afflicted  friend  dwelt 
under  the  shadow  of  a  great  rock,  rejoicing  in 
tribulation,  and  filled  with  peace." 

"While  in  the  South,  a  few  days  since,  where 
the  Negroes  are  rapidly  enlisting,  I  addressed 
one  of  them, 

"Well,  soldier,  you  are  going  to  fight  for 
your  country  ?" 

"  Yes,  massa. " 

"Do  you  think  the  Lord  will  take  care  of 
you  ?" 

"  Don't  tiiik  nothing  about  it,  massa;  I  Ivukl" 
he  will.'  " 


CHAPTER   IX. 
THE  U.  S.  CHRISTIAN  COMMISSION. 


1\  MAX  like  Dr.  Chidlaw  could  not  fail  to 
-L°\  bs  deeply  interested  in  such  an  enterprise 
as  the  U.  S.  Christian  Commission.  His  clear 
■conception  of  its  true  aim  and  method,  is  evi- 
denced by  an  address  delivered  at  a  public 
meeting  in  Philadelphia. 

After  alluding  to  the  Providence  of  God  as 
manifested  in  the  war,  the  speaker  said:  "It  is 
a  wonderful  fact,  my  hearers,  in  our  history, 
that  we  present  the  first  instance  of  the  organ- 
ization of  a  patriotic  philanthropic  association, 
to  send  bodily  relief  and  spiritual  comfort  to 
soldiers  in  the  field.  From  the  time  when  Da- 
vid was  sent  to  his  brethren  in  the  camp — the 
first  delegate  of  the  Christian  Commission — 
with  the  loaves  and  cheese  for  their  comfort,  no 
_great  national  effort  has  been  made  to  relieve 
the  necessities  of  men  in  arms. 

"The  Christian  Commission,  in  the  combina- 
tion of  relief  for  the  bodv  and  consolation  for 


THE  U.  S.  CHRIST/ AN  COM  MISS  J  OX.  I  15 

the  soul,  is  at  once  the  good  Samaritan  and  the 
true  Evangelist,  and  as  such,  commends  itself  to 
every  Christian  and  philanthropic  heart. " 

Returning  to  Philadelphia  from  a  tour  in  be- 
half of  the  U.  vS.  Christian  Commission  in  north- 
eastern Pennsylvania,  Rev.  Mr.  Chidlaw  wrote 
that  the  uprising  of  the  people  in  its  glorious  real- 
ity was  everywhere  evident.  ' '  The  train  from 
Easton  was  crowded  with  the  stalwart  men  of 
North  Jersey,  hastening  to  the  rescue.  Chest- 
nut Street  appeared  like  one  continued  recruit- 
ing office,  with  an  immense  business  going  on. 
Stores,  shops  and  manufactories  were  pouring 
out  their  thousands  of  strong  men  ready  to  meet 
the  invader.  At  Wilkesbarre  and  Scranton, 
the  hardy  miners  heard  the  call  to  arms,  and 
dropped  their  picks  to  shoulder  their  muskets. 
At  the  latter  place  our  Christian  Commission 
service  was  turned  into  a  war  meeting,  and  the 
next  morning  some  200  heroic  men  were  on  the 
train,  and  amid  deafening  cheers  were  off  for 
the  war.  The  men  of  New  York,  New  Jersey 
and  the  Keystone  State  blending  in  mighty 
masses,  with  shouts  as  of  victorious  hosts,  passed 
the  Old  Hall  of  Independence,  and  catching  the 
inspirations  of  '76  made   their  way  amid   loud 


11  6  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

cheers  and  thousands  of  waving-  handkerchiefs, 
to  the  depot  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad. 
There  is  no  panic  or  fear,  but  one  outburst  of 
enthusiasm  and  strengthened  confidence  in  the 
results  of  this  great  struggle  for  national  life 
and  unity," 

Rev.  Mr.  Chidlaw's  work  in  September  carried 
him  South  again — this  time  to  Alabama — where, 
at  Stevenson,  September  27th,  he  was  "discover- 
ed" by  a  correspondent  of  a  northern  paper,  and 
thus  described  to  its  readers :  ' '  While  flound- 
ering about  through  the  suffocating  dust  of  this, 
place  this  morning,  I  discovered  a  moving  pillar 
of  mother  earth,  on  the  summit  of  which  I  rec- 
ognized the  features  of  Rev.  Mr.  Chidlaw,  of 
Cincinnati.  He  is  here  with  thirteen  others  on 
behalf  of  the  Christian  Commission,  which  has. 
been  doing  a  noble  work  in  ministering  to  the 
wants  of  the  wounded,  as  they  have  passed 
through  to  Chattanooga.  They  have  fed  and 
clothed  thousands  of  the  poor  and  suffering  fel- 
lows, and  are  entitled  to  a  nation's  gratitude  for 
their  labor  of  love.  The  work  is  truly  philan- 
thropic, and  should  be  aided  by  every  friend  of 
the  soldier  and  lover  of  the  cause."  But  let 
Mr.  Chidlaw  tell  the  story  in  his  own  words: 


THE  U.  S.  CHRISTIAN  COMMISSION.  1 1  7 

"Stevenson,  Ala.,  Sept.  25,  1S63. 

"  On  Wednesday  noon,  with  twelve  fellow- 
laborers,  we  left  Cincinnati,  and  on  Thursday 
night  reached  Nashville.  Here  we  found  that 
1,300  wounded  soldiers  from  Chattanooga  had 
arrived  and  another  100  was  expected.  *  *  * 
To-day,  at  the  request  of  our  excellent  field- 
agent,  brother  Parsons,  I  was  appointed  to  sup- 
ply the  wounded  men  that  arrive  from  the  front. 
Colonel  Lyon,  Post  Commander,  gave  me  a  de- 
tail of  twenty-four  men,  and  a  large  tent  near 
the  railroad  depot.  In  this  we  have  our  food, 
and  near  by  a  fire,  with  fifteen  large  camp  kettles, 
coffee  and  sugar.  When  a  train  arrives,  the 
sufferers  from  the  field  of  battle,  exhausted  and 
hungry,  are  promptly  furnished  with  food,  and 
we  are  abundantly  repaid  by  their  grateful  ac- 
knowledgments. " 

"Stevenson,  Ala.,  Oct.  i,  1863. 

"Since  the  last  battle  near  Chattanooga, 
twenty  delegates  of  the  United  States  Chris- 
tian Commission  have  reported  here.  Ten 
have  passed  on,  and  ten  of  us  are  here  on  duty. 
Our  home  is  an  unfinished  meeting  house. 

"Yesterday,  a  brother  in  his  blue  coat  stood 
up  to  tell  of  his  struggles  and  trials  in  the  Chris- 


1 1 8  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLA  W. 

tian  life,  and  said  with  feeling,  '  Brethren,  after 
all,  and  in  all  these  dark  times,  by  the  grace  of 
God  I  am  Jesus  Christ's  enlisted  man,  under  His 
banner  there  can  be  no  defeat,  but  certain 
victory. " 

"  Another  aged  soldier,  testifying  of  the  grace 
of  God,  the  love  of  Jesus,  and  the  power  of 
faith,  said,  '  I  have  seen  hard  times,  long 
marches,  great  dangers,  and  sometimes  felt  that 
I  must  fall  out  of  the  ranks,  but  just  then,  when 
so  weak  and  faint,  I  would  look  to  God,  think 
of  the  end  of  my  pilgrimage,  and  the  crown  of 
glory  beyond,  I  would  jog  on  and  feel  strong. 
My  brethren,  religion  greatly  helps  the  soldier, 
soul  and  body  I '  *  *  *  We  distributed 
150  sheets  of  paper,  and  the  same  number  of 
envelopes.  This  small  favor  was  opportune  and 
highly  appreciated.  A  young  soldier — shot  in 
the  foot,  quite  a  sufferer, — said:  '  How  glad  my 
mother  will  be  to  hear  from  me,  now  that  I 
have  paper  to  write  home!  '  In  writing  for 
these  patient,  uncomplaining  men,  I  observed 
the  wide  difference  between  the  man  that  loves 
Jesus  and  the  man  that  knows  Him  not.  The 
former  would  tell  his  wife,  sister,  father  or 
friend,  how  precious  his  Saviour  was  to  his  soul, 


THE  U.  S.  CHRISTIAN  COMMISSION.  \  i  c^ 

what  peace  he  enjoyed,  how  he  was  cheered  and 
sustained  in  the  hour  of  danger  and  in  his  pres- 
ent sufferings.  The  other  has  no  such  message 
to  send,  no  words  of  comfort  and  of  hope  for 
his  loved  ones  at  home.  The  old  soldier  was  cer- 
tainly right  when  he  said  '  religion  greatly  helps, 
the  soldier,  soul  and  body,'  and  it  is  a  special 
coinfort  to  the  friends  at  home  to  know  that  the- 
soldier  sick  and  well,  has  Christ  for  his  all  in 
all." 

"  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Oct.  3,  1863. 
"  After  laboring  a  week  at  Stevenson  and. 
Bridgeport,  Ala.,  among  the  sick,  wounded  and 
well  soldiers,  in  the  camps  and  hospitals,  we 
reached  this  city  at  noon  to-day.  *  *  *^ 
We  found  many  Ohio  soldiers  here,  quite  cheer- 
ful and  thankful  for  our  words  of  cheer  and  relig- 
ious reading.  We  learn  that  about  5,000  wound- 
ed men  are  now  in  the  Nashville  hospitals.  Half 
of  them  are  slightly  wounded,  and  will  soon  re- 
turn to  duty.  We  heard  none  complaining. 
Many  express  great  anxiety  to  join  their  com- 
rades in  front.  Arrangements  are  made  for  all 
the  delegates,  both  lay  and  clerical,  to  labor 
to-morrow  among  the  teamsters,  detached  regi- 
ments in  the  fortification  and  at  the  various  hos- 


12  0  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHI DL AW. 

pitals.  How  much  we  need  the  unction  from 
above,  and  the  love  of  Christ  inspiring  our 
hearts — amid  these  various  and  important  la- 
bors !  Brethren,  pray  for  us  and  come  over  and 
help  us!  " 

He  advocated  org-anized  effort  on  a  large 
scale  in  a  speech  before  the  American  Tract  So- 
ciety : 

"  The  few  minutes  which  I  shall  occupy  will 
permit  me  but  to  glance  at  the  view  expressed 
in  the  language  of  the  resolution,  that  the 
American  Tract  Society  is  justified  in  the  ex- 
penditure of  $30,000  in  circulating  amid  the 
great  army  of  soldiers  throughout  this  land  this 
precious  Christian  literature.  We  are  justified 
in  the  fact  that  our  army  and  navy  needed  these 
leaves  of  the  tree  of  life,  needed  the  blessed  book 
that  has  God  for  its  author,  salvation  for  its  end, 
and  truth  without  the  any  mixture  of,  error; 
and  blessed  be  God,  the  American  Bible  Society 
has  never  ceased  with  a  liberal  hand  and  a  warm 
heart  to  suppl}"  the  great  army  with  the  Word  of 
eternal  life.  Religious  reading  for  the  soldier 
is  greatly  needed ;  '  for  amid  the  toils  and  duties 
•of  camp-life,  idleness  is  a  grievous  evil.'  *  *  * 
J  have  found  in  my  experience  large  numbers 


THE  U.  S.  CHRIST! AX  COMMISSIOX.  12  1 

of  men  who  could  not  read,  larger  numbers  still 
who  were  not  disposed  to  read  such  books  as  I 
presented  to  them.  These  men  I  could  but  very 
imperfectly  reach ;  but  the  great  mass  of  our 
western  soldiers  were  anxious  to  receive  a  tract 
■or  book,  and  they  were  careful  to  preserve  what 
^was  given  them. 

"As  an  evidence  of  this,  one  morning  I  saw 
a  regiment  that  I  had  supplied  with  the  Testa- 
ment and  the  Soldiers'  Hymn  Book,  slinging  on 
their  knapsacks  and  forming  into  line.  I  was 
afraid  they  might  leave  behind  them  a  consider- 
able portion  of  what  I  had  given  them,  and  I 
passed  along  the  vacated  cantonments,  gather- 
ing up  what  books  I  could  find — but  very  few 
Avere  left.  Our  American  soldiers,  to  a  great 
•extent,  will  read,  and  they  love  to  read,  these 
•Christian  publications  that  you  furnish  to  them. 

"This  expenditure  by  the  Tract  Society  has 
proved  an  invaluable  aid  in  their  pastoral  duties 
to  the  400  chaplains  represented  in  the  Ameri- 
can army ;  and  where,  under  the  blue  sky  of 
heaven,  has  ever  an  army  been  favored  with 
:such  a  band  of  faithful,  spiritual  and  devoted 
inen?  What  an  unexampled  event  in  our  history 
the  genius  of  the  Government  and  the  spirit  of 


122  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

our  Christianity  sending  out  400  pastors  to  the 
tented  field  and  the  hospitals  of  our  country ! 

"  I  have  seen  men  casting  clover-seed  on  the 
snow,  a  hopeless  kind  of  work  as  it  seemed  at 
the  time ;  but  I  have  passed  by  the  same  fields 
the  following-  spring,  and  have  seen  them  cov- 
ered with  a  luxuriant  crop  of  clover.  This  good 
seed  that  we  are  scattering  over  the  length  and 
breadth  of  the  land  in  the  east,  west,  north,  and 
we  trust  at  the  south,  will  spring  up  and  bring 
forth  fruit  to  the  honor  and  glory  of  God. 

"  Havelock  and  Vicars  were  men  of  faith; 
Foote  and  Mitchell  in  our  western  department 
were  men  that  stood  up  for  Jesus. 

"  This  religious  element  in  the  army  is  the  as- 
surance that  we  shall  bye  and  bye  see,  not  a 
faded  field  of  blue  with  stars  gone  down  in  dark- 
ness, but  one  with  stars  shining  bright,  cheerful 
and  lustrous  as  ever.  This  religious  element  in 
the  army  is  our  hope,  this  work  of  the  benevo- 
lent societies  in  scattering  the  word  of  God  and 
a  Christian  literature  tends  to  strengthen  it. 

"  Soon  this  dreadful  war  will  end — God  has- 
ten the  day! 

"While  many  of  our  noble  army  will  bite  the 
ground  in  the  asfonies  of  death,  and  will  never 


THE  U.  S.  CHRIST/. IX  COA/J//SS/OX.  123 

again  see  their  prairie  dwellings  or  log  cabins  in 
the  far  West,  tens  and  hundreds  of  thousands, 
their  duties  over,  will  again  return  to  their 
homes.  What  kind  of  men  shall  they  be  then? 
Shall  they  be  pure  men?  Men  with  unscathed 
consciences,  and  of  unsullied  purity?  They  may 
come  home  crippled,  and  with  scars  of  honor 
obtained  upon  many  a  battlefield  ;  but  shall  they 
come  bankrupt  in  character?  vShall  they  come 
home  wdth  polluted  lips,  with  intemperate  and 
profligate  habits  sweeping  them  down  to  des- 
truction? Oh!  May  God  forbid  it.  Christian 
men,  come  to  the  rescue,  and  forbid  it.  Send 
to  the  army  your  messengers  of  salvation,  send 
them  the  words  of  eternal  life  in  these  precious 
books,  in  your  prayers  remember  them  before 
God." 

"  On  the  evening  of  Sept.  4th,  1864,  at  Ply- 
mouth, Ohio,  Rev.  Mr.  Chidlaw  addressed  a 
union  meeting  held  in  one  of  the  churches, 
speaking  most  eloquently  and  feelingly  for  about 
an  hour  in  behalf  of  the  U.  S,  C.  C,  after  which 
a  liberal  collection  was  taken  up  for  the  pur- 
poses of  the  Commission.  From  an  account  of 
the  proceedings  we  quote  the  following: 

"It   added  not  a  little  to  the  interest  of  the 


124  BENJAMIN  K'lLLIAMS  CHWLAIV. 

occasion  that  a  company  of  volunteers,  some 
eighty  strong,  under  Capt.  Jenkins,  from  Jack- 
son county,  were  present  on  their  way  to  Iron- 
ton,  to  be  mustered  into  the  service.  They 
had  come  down  on  the  cars  Saturday  evening, 
and  waited  here  over  the  Sabbath.  Instead  of 
the  rowdyism  and  drunkenness  so  common 
xmder  such  circumstances,  they  met  and  had 
preaching  in  their  own  language,  and  in  the 
■evening  they  gathered  in  front  of  their  quarters 
and  engaged  in  singing  some  of  their  spiritual 
songs  in  their  native  tongue.  They  were  Welsh- 
men, and  most,  if  not  all,  were  members  of  the 
Church. 

"On  invitation  they  came  in  a  bod}-  to  the 
church  at  7  130  o'clock,  and  listened  with  inter- 
est to  the  facts  and  statements  made  by  their 
fellow  countrymen.  Brother  Chid  law,  in  behalf 
of  the  soldiers  in  the  army. 

"At  the  close  of  the  exercises,  he  addressed 
a  few  words  of  good  cheer  and  timely  advice  to 
them  as  to  their  duties,  which  they  will  remem- 
ber to  their  dying  day.  They  also  sang  one  of 
their  Christian  songs.  The  audience  was  very 
large  and  appreciative,  and  many  eyes  were  wet 
with   tears  at    the  narrative   of  what  is  being 


THE  U.  S.  CHRIST  I  AX  COMMISSION.\  125 

done  for  our  noble  bo3\s  in  the  army  by  the 
Christian  and  vSanitary  Commissions.  It  was  a 
good  day,  and  all  felt  it  was  good  to  be  there. 

"  By  the  faithful  labors  of  the  delegates  of  the 
Commission,  our  brothers  now,  almost  invari- 
ably, receive  the  good  things  for  soul  and  body, 
sent  to  them  by  their  friends.  These  delegates 
work  gratuitously,  and  are  persons  acting  only 
from  love  of  doing  good  to  the  needy.  There 
are  more  than  a  thousand  '  Nightingales  '  in  this 
blessed  work." 

Life,  at  one  of  the  hospital  centres  at  the  front 
in  the  work  of  the  U.  S.  C.  C.  is  graphically 
portrayed  in  the  subjoined  .sketch,  from  Rev. 
Mr.  Chidlaw's  pen : 

"There  is  a  large  porch  looking  out  into  this 
garden.  Here  some  of  the  delegates  lake  their 
place  every  morning  to  lead  our  family  worship, 
while  the  others  arrange  themselves  around  the 
garden.  After  worship  they  fall  in  line,  and 
marching  up  to  the  kitchen  receive  a  plate  with 
a  piece  of  pork  and  '  hard-tack,'  and  then  going 
to  a  window  a  little  further  on  get  a  cup  of  cof- 
fee. Each  one  gets  a  seat  wherever  he  can  on 
the  ground,  or  standing,  eats  his  rations.  This 
is  the  way  in  which  the  delegates  live. 


I  26  BENJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLA  W. 

"Coming  out  from  the  door,  I  met  a  Doctor 
of  Divinity  with  his  coat  off,  his  shirt-sleeves 
rolled  up,  carrying  a  large  kettle  of  farina,  with 
a  haversack  on  his  shoulders,  loaded  with  fruits, 
on  his  way  to  distribute  to  the  sick  and  wounded 
soldiers. 

"  When  the  labors  of  the  day  draw  to  a  close, 
the  delegates  assemble  in  the  garden  and  hold  a 
prayer  meeting.  These  are  the  most  deeply  in- 
teresting meetings  I  have  ever  attended. 

"  I  found  the  organization  of  the  work  here 
very  complete,  and  well  systematized.  The 
delegates  are  divided  into  companies,  with  a 
delegate  experienced  in  former  battle-fields  for 
a  captain.  These  are  assigned  to  the  various 
hospitals.  Each  delegate  reports  to  his  Cap- 
tain, and  the  captains  to  the  general  field  agent 
daily." 

The  cpialit}'  of  the  men  who  ministered  in 
the  hospitals  may  be  judged  of  by  a  single  case 
mentioned  by  Mr.  Chidlaw,  who  reported  with 
regard  to  one  establishment : 

"  I  became  acquainted  with  a  ward  master,  a 
soldier  belonging  to  the  ist  E.  Tenn.  Cavalry, 
a  most  godl}"  and  patriotic  man.  In  Hawkins 
Co.,  Tennessee,  he   was  pastor  of   four   Baptist 


THE  U.  S.  CHRISTIAN  COMMISSION.  I  27 

churches,  all  loyal.  With  the  male  members 
of  his  churches,  he  was  compelled  to  leave  his 
home,  his  wife  and  four  children,  and  the  pas- 
toral care  of  these  churches.  Wandering 
among  the  mountains  for  a  week,  in  great  peril 
and  suffering,  he  reached  our  lines  and  enlisted. 
Health  failed,  and  this  good  brother,  with  Chris- 
tian faithfulness,  is  now  doing  a  good  work  for 
the  souls  and  bodies  of  the  sick  and  wounded 
in  the  hospitals." 

committee's  report  of  the  CINCINNATI  BRANCH 
OF  THE  UNITED  STATES  CHRISTIAN  COMMISSION, 
JAN.    I,    1864. 

^'Geo.  H.  Stuart,  Esq.,  Pres.  U.  vS.  Chris- 
tian Commission : 
"The  Cincinnati  Branch  of  the  U.  S.  Chris- 
tian Commission  was  organized  early  last  sum- 
tner.  At  our  first  public  meeting.  Gen.  Burn- 
side  favored  us  with  an  address,  and  our  friends 
gave  us  the  first  collection  in  behalf  of  the 
Commission.  Since  that  time  we  have  received 
^21,250  in  cash,  besides  a  large  amount  of 
stores  and  publications.  We  have  sent  forty- 
eight  delegates  to  the  field,  the  camp  and  the 
hospitals  of  the  armies  of  Generals  Grant  and 
Burnside.   Thirtv-six  are  now  at  work  for  Christ 


128  BEXJAMI.X  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

and  our  country.  During  the  year  I  traveled 
eighteen  thousand  six  hundred  miles,  and  made 
one  hundred  and  fifty  addresses  in  behalf 
of  the  Commission.  My  labors  have  extended 
into  Missouri,  Arkansas,  Louisiana,  Tennessee, 
Kentucky  and  Alabama.  I  have  always  been 
welcomed  by  officers  and  privates,  and  my  la- 
bors gratefully  appreciated.  In  his  tent,  or 
lingering  in  his  cot,  the  soldier,  sick  or  well,, 
gladl}'  received  the  benefactions  of  friends  at 
home,  and  generally  with  evident  interest  heard 
my  gospel  messages.  Through  the  kindness  of 
the  Cincinnati  Branch  of  the  U.  S.  vSanitary 
Commission,  I  was  favored  with  a  free  passage 
on  the  Sanitary  steamer  '  Dunleith,'  from  Cin- 
cinnati to  Young's  Point,  Louisiana,  and  started 
with  an  abundant  supply  of  stores,  so  that  I 
might  efficiently  minister  to  the  temporal,  as 
well  as  the  spiritual  wants  of  our  brave  de- 
fenders, on  duty  in  forts,  camps,  and  on  our  gun- 
boats, from  Cairo,  Illinois,  to  Vicksburg,  Mis- 
sissippi. During  this  trip  I  distributed  a  large 
amount  of  reading  matter,  preached  some  thirty 
times,  and  conversed  with  hundreds  of  our  sol- 
diers  and  sailors. 

"On  a  sfunboat  below  Cairo,  an    officer  wel- 


THE  U.  S.  CHRISTIAN  COMMISSION.  129. 

corned  my  visit  most  cordially,  saying,  '  Yoiii 
are  the  first  minister  that  has  stood  on  our  deck 
with  reading-  matter  for  our  crew  and  words  of 
cheer  for  us  all.'  On  another,  a  fine-looking 
youth,  neat  and  trim  in  his  blue  jacket,  met  me 
at  the  gangway  with  an  earnest  salutation,  add- 
ing, '  You  used  to  address  our  vSabbath- school 
at  home.  I  am  glad  to  see  you.'  He  aided  me 
to  find  my  way  over  the  vessel  while  distribu- 
ting books,  and  kindly  introduced  me  to  many 
of  his  companions.  In  the  camps  around  Mem- 
phis, and  the  hospitals  in  the  city,  I  found 
abundant  opportunities  of  usefulness.  At  that 
time  the  work  was  great  and  the  laborers  few. 
Now  the  Christian  Commission  has  a  strong 
foothold,  and  a  bright  record  of  extended  labor 
and  abundant  usefulness. 

"Descending  the  Mississippi,  on  the  deserted 
cotton-fields  of  Louisiana,  in  long  lines  of  en- 
campments among  the  heroes  that  captured 
Vicksburg,  with  my  fellow-laborers,  Burnell  of 
Wisconsin,  and  Reynolds  of  Illinois,  I  labored 
in  word  and  deed  with  much  encouragement. 
On  the  floating  hospital,  moored  near  Milliken's. 
Bend,  Louisiana,  with  its  seven  hundred  and 
sixty  sick    and   languishing   patients,    I    found 


130  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

many  hands  to  receive  our  gifts,  and  many  ears 
■open  to  hear  the  glorious  gospel  of  the  Son  of 
"God.  One  poor  fellow,  near  the  portals  of 
■death,  when  I  asked  him  how  he  was,  ex- 
claimed, with  a  genial  smile  and  a  holy  ecstasy, 

'  In  Christ  I  am  happy  day  and  night.  All 
is  well.' 

"  In  a  few  days,  as  we  were  bearing  him  on 
■our  boat  towards  his  northern  hom.e,  he  died  in 
_great  peace ;  and  now  the  mortal  remains  of 
Albert  Conningham  rest  with  his  kindred  in  a 
beautiful  graveyard  in  Central  Ohio. 

"At  the  Van  Buren  Convalescent  Hospital,  a 
few  iniles  below,  occupying  a  planter's  resi- 
dence, and  the  lovely  lawn  surrounding  it, 
where  the  pride  of  China  and  the  magnolia  were 
l)looming,  and  the  mocking-bird  nestled,  we 
found  eighteen  hundred  men  glad  to  see  '  some- 
iDody  from  home,"  anxious  to  receive  '  something 
to  read,'  and  ready  to  hear  our  words  of  en- 
■couragement  and  Christian  instruction.  In 
what  was  once  a  'negro  quarter'  we  found  a 
iDand  of  pious  soldiers  holding  a  prayer  meet- 
ing. Seeing  the  grace  of  God  in  these  '  blue- 
coat"  brethren,  I  was   truly  glad,  and  exhorted 


THE  U.  S.  CHRISriAX  COMMISSIOX.  I  3  I 

them  all  that  with  purpose  of  heart  they  should 
cleave  unto  the  Lord. ' 

"  Another  '  quarter  '  was  occupied  by  colored 
people.  I  entered  and  said  to  them,  'I  only 
wished  to  see  "the  slave  quarters."  An  intelli- 
gent  looking  man  said,  '  Lor,  massa,  dis  is  not  a 
slave  quarter  anymo,  we  be  all  free,  bless  de 
Lord. '  The  treason  of  their  masters  removed 
their  chains,  and  gave  them  freedom.  Quite  a 
number  of  freed  men  gathered  around  me.  and 
on  the  sill  of  the  door  I  preached  rmto  them  Je- 
sus and  the  Resurrection ;  and  on  the  sod  in 
front  we  knelt  in  prayer  with  these  sable  sons 
of  Ethiopia,  commending  them  to  the  God  of  all 
grace  and  consolation, 

"  Immediately  after  the  battle  of  Chicka- 
mauga,  with  thirteen  other  delegates,  I  left  Cin- 
cinnati for  the  scenes  of  carnage  and  of  suffering. 
Travelling  four  hundred  and  sixty  miles,  I 
reached  Stevenson,  Alabama,  on  the  25  th  of 
September.  Here  I  met  Brothers  Parson  and 
Harvey  supplying  a  train  of  wounded  soldiers 
with  bread  and  coffee.  At  once  I  was  welcomed 
as  a  helper  in  this  important  work  of  relief. 
The  poor  fellows  had  made  their  way,  as  best 
they    could,    from  Chattanooga  to   Bridgeport, 


132  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

thence  by  the  cars  thirteen  miles  to  this  place. 
Exhausted  and  hungry,  faint  and  weary,  they 
needed  refreshments.  Some  two  thousand  loaves 
of  excellent  bread,  and  a  bountiful  supply  of 
coffee,  hot  and  good,  these  wounded  men — pass- 
ing through  Stevenson — received  from  the  hands 
of  the  delegates  of  the  Christian  Commission, 
the  supplies  being  furnished  by  the  Government^ 
In  our  chapel,  we  held  religious  services  twice 
a  day,  generally  very  well  attended.  vSeveral 
of  the  soldiers  became  deeply  convicted  of  sin, 
and  earnestly  inquired  what  they  must  do  to  be 
saved.  Blessed  privilege,  even  amid  the  fear- 
ful realities  of  war,  to  point  them  to  the  'Lamb 
of  God,  that  taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  World.' 
In  our  chapel  I  have  seen  from  thirty  to  fifty 
soldiers  attentively  reading,  or  diligent  in  writ- 
ing to  their  friends  at  home.  In  the  field  hos- 
pitals, near  Stevenson,  we  found  two  thousand 
sick  and  wounded  men.  Here  we  distributed 
sanitary  stores,  which  were  much  needed,  and 
gratefully  received.  From  tent  to  tent  we 
visited  the  uncomplaining  sufferers,  doing  good„ 
as  God  enabled  us,  to  their  souls  and  to  their 
bodies. 

"  The  large  quantity  of   stationery  which  we 


THE  U.  S.  CHRISTIAN  COMMISSIOX  133 

distributed  met  a  very  pressing-  want,  and  en- 
abled hundreds  to  write  to  their  anxious  relatives 
and  friends  at  home.  While  preaching  a  funeral 
sermon  in  one  of  our  hospitals,  I  observed  one 
of  my  hearers — who  was  lying  on  a  pallet  of 
straw,  evidently  drawing  near  to  death — very 
much  interested.  Failing  to  repress  his  emo- 
tions, bringing  his  attenuated  hands  together, 
he  exclaimed,  '  Glory  to  God  for  the  hope  of  sal- 
vation through  Jesus  Christ, "  At  the  close  of 
our  service  1  approached  the  poor  sufferer  and 
asked  him  if  he  loved  Jesus  Christ.  With  a 
heavenly  sweetness  of  voice,  and  a  full  heart, 
he  replied,  '  Oh  yes,  and  Jesus  loves  me.'  To 
this  dying  soldier,  death  had  no  sting,  the  grave 
no  gloom — all  was  bright  beyond.  Alas  1  All 
our  brave  men  are  not  the  friends  of  Christ. 

"  Multitudes  are  hardened  in  sin,  reckless  and 
indifferent  to  the  claims  of  God  and  eternity. 
In  the  tent,  the  camp,  the  hospital,  we  must 
meet  with  abounding  iniquity  and  irreligion. 
Too  many  of  our  brave  men  neglect  the  great 
salvation,  yet  we  always  found  them  accessible, 
easily  impressed  by  kindly  words  and  good 
deeds.  The  prudent,  earnest,  faithful.  Christ- 
like delegate,   and  the  laborious  chaplain  may 


134  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

go  among  them  'bearing  precious  seed,  and  shall 
return  with  rejoicing,  bringing  their  sheaves 
with  them.'  God  bless  the  U.  S.  Christian 
Commission. 

"Rev.  B.  W.  Chidlaw, 
"Cincinnati,  Jan.  ist,  1S64." 


CHAPTER  X. 

.4  .YX/ 1  'ERSA  R  ) '  SPEECHES. 


THE  third  anniversary  of  the  U.  S.  Christian 
Commission  was  celebrated  at  the  Aca- 
demy of  Music,  Philadelphia,  on  Tuesday  eve- 
ning-j  January  31st,  1864.  The  building  was 
crowded  with  an  enthusiastic  audience. 

Rev.  Mr.  Chidlaw's  address  upon  this  inspir- 
ing occasion  was  worthy  of  the  man  and  of  the- 
hour.      He  said: 

'  More  than  forty  years  ago,  when  a  child,  the 
speaker  stood  with  his  father  on  the  side  of  a 
lofty  mountain,  near  their  home  in  the  Princi- 
pality of  Wales. 

"His  father  held  his  handkerchief  to  the  breeze 
and  said,  '  That's  a  fair  wind  to  take  people  to 
America. '  The  boy  asked  what  America  was. 
His  father  replied,  that  it  was  a  great  country, 
far  ofE  beyond  the  ocean,  where  the  people  had 
a  g-ood  government,  where  poor  boys  could  go. 
to  school  and  get  an  education ;  and  where  they 
had  plenty  of  apples.      The  last  idea  the  speaker 


136  BEXJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

"fully  comprehended  at  the  time,  and  he  inquired 
Avhy  his  father  did  not  take  them  there  to  live. 
■^  By  and  by,  my  boy,'  he  replied,  'when  the 
Lord  opens  the  door,  we  will  go,'  In  a  year  the 
•door  was  opened  for  their  emigration,  and  now 
for  forty-five  years  the  speaker  had  enjoyed  the 
advantages  of  a  great  country  and  a  good  gov- 
ernment, of  free  schools  and  free  institutions, 
and  when  armed  treason  assailed  the  life  of  such 
a  nation,  and  threatened  the  integrity  of  such  a 
government,  he  felt  that,  with  the  great  hosts 
of  the  Western  boys  hastening  to  the  rescue,  the 
Welsh  boy,  who  had  here  shared  so  largely  in 
the  blessings  afforded  to  the  poor  and  the  op- 
pressed of  all  climes,  must  go  and  take  a  hand 
in  the  fight,  too."  (Applause.)  "  But  he  had 
always  had  a  natural  difficulty  when  a  boy  in 
the  woods  of  Ohio.  He  could  never  shoot  be- 
•cause  he  had  to  close  his  eyes  when  he  took  aim. 
While,  therefore,  he  could  not  shoulder  the 
Tuusket,  or  the  rifle,  he  could  cheer  the  boys  on 
and  pray  for  them.  The  brave  boys  of  the 
Thirty-ninth  Ohio  gave  him  a  regular  Presby- 
terian call  from  the  rank  and  file  to  be  their 
preacher,  the  officers  sanctioned  it,  and  he  found 
liimself  in  the  army.      He  soon  discovered  that 


A  XX 1 1  -ERSA  R 1  ■  SPEECHES.  T  3  7 

the  quartermaster  could  not  supply  the  want 
of  good  reading-.  Then  he  remembered  that  for 
twenty  years,  while  engaged  as  a  Sunday  school 
missionary  under  the  auspices  of  the  American 
Sunday  School  Union — that  noble  institution 
that  honors  Philadelphia  by  making  its  home 
there — he  used  to  ask  for  books  and  they  gave 
them  to  him ;  and  he  felt  sure  that  they  would 
still  honor  the  requisition  of  their  old  missionary, 
now  a  chaplain  in  his  country's  service.  And 
they  did  so.  He  found,  too,  at  the  very  start, 
that  they  needed  something  like  the  United 
States  Christian  Commission  in  the  Army.  They 
had  groped  in  the  darkness  until,  by  and  by, 
God  called  this  great  agency  to  be  a  light  to 
them.  He  believed  that  the  Christian  Com- 
mission grew  out  of  the  great  revival  of  1857 
and  1858.  It  was  born  of  the  spirit  of  prayer 
and  union  begotten  by  the  union  prayer  meet- 
ings held  in  that  favored  hour,  when  those 
mighty  waves  of  revival  rolled  over  the  land. 
The  Commission  sprang  from  a  good  source, 
and  God  had  given  it  a  most  noble  mission  to 
perform.  How  well  it  had  performed  it,  he  had 
in  many  places  seen  and  could  testify. 

The   speaker  then  drew  upon  his  experience. 


138  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

On  the  battlefield  of  Perryville  he  had  been 
privileged  to  go  among  the  men  and  distribute 
stores.  He  found  at  Hospital  No.  i,  which 
was  in  a  church,  2,400  brave  men  suffering  from 
sickness  and  wounds.  Instead  of  the  pews  filled 
with  attentive  hearers,  were  stretched  before 
him  rows  of  bleeding,  dying  men.  He  went  to 
the  first  one  on  whom  his  eye  lighted,  and  saw 
that  he  had  had  an  arm  amputated  and  was  still 
lying  in  the  soiled  and  clotted  garments  of  the. 
field.  Most  of  the  men  were  equally  destitute. 
He  commanded  their  attention,  and  bade  them 
all  cheer  up,  saying  that  their  friends  at  hoiue 
were  near  at  hand  to  do  them  good.  Having 
asked  the  men  who  needed  clean  garments,  to 
signify  it  by  raising  the  hand,  or  if  they  could 
not  do  this,  by  speaking,  he  then  went  from  one 
to  another  with  the  shirts  and  drawers  and 
socks,  and  all  needed  articles,  giving  to  each  the 
benefactions  which  were  intended  to  reach  him 
by  the  kind  hearts|[at  home  which  had  provided 
them.  When  they  had  passed  through  one  hos- 
pital in  this  way  they  went  to  another,  and  then 
to  another,  doing  the  same  grateful  work.  One 
poor  fellow,  on  being  refreshed  with  clean  rai- 
ment, said,    "j^Preacher,  I    don't  know  who  sent 


.4.\\y/ 1  'ERSAR  } '  SPEECHES.  I  3  9 

you  here  with  these  nice  clean  clothes  unless 
the  Lord."  "Certainly,  that's  it,  the  good  Lord 
and  the  women  of  Ohio.  They  were  the  part- 
nership," was  the  reply. 

One  Hoosier  boy,  not  over  twenty  years  old, 
lay  sick  with  a  touch  of  fever  and  ag-ue — an 
affliction  which  he  had  sometimes  suffered  from 
at  home.  I,  comprehending  the  case,  said  to 
him,  "What  did  mother  do  for  you  when  you 
had  these  spells  at  home?"  "Oh,  she  used  to 
make  me  a  good  cup  of  tea,  and  such  nice  toast." 
"  Why,  that's  just  what  my  mother  used  to  give 
me."  "And  don't  it  help  you  ?"  "  Yes,  almost 
always."  "Why  don't  you  get  tea  and  toast 
here  ?  "  "  Oh,  the  tea  is  not  what  mother  used 
to  give  me,  and  the  toast  is  not  the  same  at  all. " 
Well,  thought  the  speaker,  you  shall  have  some 
that  is  good,  if  it's  to  be  had  here.  So  going  to 
brother  Smith's  ("  There  he  is,"  turning  to  the 
Rev.  E.  P.  Smith,  who  was  on  the  platform, 
"  and  he  is  our  Captain-General  in  the  army  of 
the  Cumberland,  and  thousands  of  soldiers  will 
rise  up  to  call  him  blessed. ")  I  soon  found  my- 
self dipping  into  a  chest  of  real  genuine  black 
tea,  and  a  cask  of  loaf-sugar  by  its  side,  and  a 
box  of  condensed  milk.      Then  repairing  to  the 


140  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

government  bakery,  I  secured  a  nice  loaf  of 
bread,  and  took  it  to  the  cooking"  establishment 
m  the  rear,  where  the  cook  was.  "The  old 
darkey — -or" — (the  speaker  hastily  correcting 
"himself)  "the  old  colored  man."  (A  burst  of 
merriment  followed  this  correction)  "Well,"  said 
the  speaker,  half  apologeticall}-,  "the  people 
understand  it,  and  God  bless  them,"  (Resum- 
ing.) "  As  I  said,  I  went  into  this  establish- 
ment, and  my  dear  colored  friend,  the  old  cook, 
was  there."  (An  explosion  of  laughter  and  ap- 
plause hereupon  occurred  which  for  some  mo- 
ments convulsed  the  vast  audience,  and  left  a 
lingering  smile  on  many  faces  long  after  silence 
was  restored. )  (Resuming.)  "  I  began  telling 
him  what  I  wanted,  and  asking  him  for  the 
privilege  of  his  fire  and  utensils  to  do  my  work, 
when  he  interrupted  me  with,  '  In  dis  kitchen  I 
•cooks  and  you  talks,'  "  and  he  took  the  knife, 
.sliced  the  bread  and  toasted  it,  while  we  talked 
■of  the  blessed  Jesus,  and  of  his  religion.  The 
tea  and  toast  were  at  last  made.  The  con- 
densed milk  was  used  instead  of  butter,  and  we 
had  a  delicious  looking  article,  which  I  carried 
to  the  hospital. 

"My    friend,"    I    said    to    the    Indiana  boy, 


ANNIVERSARY  SPEECHES.  1 4 1 

"wake  up,  I  have  something  nice  for  you," 
"Why,  preacher,  ain't  there  milk  in  that  tea?'' 
"  Certainly,"  "  Why,"  he  asked  in  astonishment, 
' '  does  the  Christian  Commission  keep  cows  down 
here  ?  "  "  Better  than  that,  my  boy,  they  have 
gone  all  the  way  to  the  old  cow  at  home,  and 
it's  all  right.  Now  sit  up,  and  eat  and  drink. 
And  he  did  to  his  heart's  content — indeed  I  am 
afraid  he  ate  too  much."  A  soldier  close  by 
said:  "Chaplain,  can  you  give  me  a  little  tea 
and  toast  too  ?  "  "  And  me  too  ?  "  said  another. 
"  Me  too  ?  "  "  Certainly,  certainly — we'll  have  a 
general  tea  party."  And  we  did.  The  good 
old  cook  was  notified,  and  he  did  the  toast  up 
brown,  and  the  hot,  smoking  tea  was  delicious. 
We  had  a  glorious  tea  party  there.  As  a  matter 
of  course  the  preacher  hung  his  banner  on  the 
outer  wall,  as  an  Ambassador  of  the  Prince  of 
Peace,  and  preached  Christ  to  these  men  who 
had  been  so  delightfully  regaled  with  tea  and 
toast  that  the  friends  of  the  soldier  had  sent  to 
them.  Oh,  the  glorious  combination  of  human- 
ity and  Christianity.  God  has  united  them. 
We  would  not  separate  them.  The  glory  we 
give  to  His  name. 

At    another    time    I    went    into    a    deserted 


142  BEXJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLA  W. 

tavern,  used  as  a  hospital.  Seventeen  noble 
fellows  lay  on  the  floor.  I  ministered  to  them 
in  the  gospel  of  clean  clothes,  and  of  something 
good  to  eat.  The  next  day  I  labored  in  the 
gospel  of  Christ  among  them.  One  man  said 
that  when  he  was  a  boy  twelve  years  old,  in  a 
Sundaj'-school  in  vStark  County,  Ohio,  he  had 
been  hopefully  converted  to  God,  but  he  had 
never  professed  his  faith  in  Christ;  and  that  he 
did  not  know  that  his  comrades  had  ever  sus- 
pected that  he  was  a  Christian.  He  desired 
now  to  come  out  on  the  Lord's  side.  I  made 
some  remarks  about  his  going  home  on  a  fur- 
lough— a  returned  Christian  soldier — to  testify 
of  Christ.  But  he  said,  "O  Chaplain,  I  don't 
want  a  furlough ;  as  .soon  as  I  am  able  I  want  to 
join  the  regiment  and  help  the  bo5-s. "  These 
are  our  soldiers'.  Faith  has  made  heroes  of 
them.  It  is  making  heroes  of  our  Sunday-school 
boys,  of  our  American  youth  in  the  army  of  the 
Union.  '"Well,  Joshua,"  I  asked,  addressing 
the  Ohio  boy,  "  what  church  would  you  like  to 
join?  "  "  The  Church  of  Jesus  Christ,"  he  an- 
swered. As  a  recruiting  officer  of  the  Captain 
of  Salvation,  I  was  ready  to  muster  in  this  new 
recruit.      I    talked  to  him  about   the   articles  of 


AXX/l'ERSARV  SPEECHES.  I  43 

war,  tried  to  tell  him  what  it  was  to  be  a  faith- 
ful soldier — -that  he  must  not  "  break  ranks  "  and 
run  to  the  enemy — and  then,  on  the  avowal  of  his 
faith  in  Christ,  I  baptized  this  Christian  soldier, 
and  welcomed  him  into  the  Church  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  On  ^leaving  that  cot,  and  pass- 
ing out  of  the  room,  a  poor  fellow  pulled  my 
coat,  and  said,  "Chaplain,  I  am  a  deserter." 
^ '  O  no,  my  friend,  you  have  served  your  coun- 
try too  long,  and  have  shed  too  much  blood  for 
it  (he  had  lost  his  left  arm)  to  be  a 'deserter. " 
'•'•  Yes  I  am,"  he  persisted — ■"  three  years  ago  I 
professed  religion  in  Indiana,  but  I  have  de- 
serted the  standard.  I  have  wandered  from 
God.  Oh  I  feel  like  consecrating  myself  anew 
to  Him  to-day — won't  you  muster  me  in,  Chap- 
lain?" 

'  'This  is  the  labor  that  is  done  for  the  soldiers, " 
Rev.  Mr.  Chidlaw  said  in  closing.  "  In  this 
way  we  strive  to  strengthen  their  faith,  encour- 
age their  hope,  and  cheer  their  hearts.  And  the 
work  was  full  of  reward  to  the  Christian.  To 
point  the  dying  soldier  to  Jesus,  to  hear  hi.s 
pious  ejaculations,  to  see  the  brightening  eye, 
and  radiant  face  lit  up  with  the  glory  of  the 
vision  of  heaven,  to  hear  the  rapturous  exclama- 


144  BEXJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

tions  of  those  who  are  dying-  in  the  triumphs  of 
faith — Oh !  These  are  ample  rewards  for  all  the 
toil  expended  I  And  should  not  Christians  pro- 
vide the  means  abundantly  for  such  a  work? 
Are  not  the  men  worthy?  Are  they  not  dying- 
for  us?  Shall  we  not  open  our  hearts  wide  to 
them?  Shall  we  not  take  them  in,  and  warm 
them  and.  love  them?  Shall  we  not  only  minis- 
ter to  them  the  bread  which  perishelh,  but  also 
the  bread  of  life  for  which  they  are  hungering, 
and  which  if  they  eat  they  shall  never  hunger 
more?" 

But  perhaps  the  most  notable  oratorical  effort 
of  Rev.  Mr.  Chidlaw's  life  was  a  speech  delivered 
on  short  notice,  but  with  very  telling-  effect,  at 

the  g-reat  final  gathering  of  the  U.  S.  Christian 
Commission,  held  in  the  Hall  of  the  House  of 
Representatives,  Washington,  D.  C,  the  even- 
ing of  February  II,  1866. 

A  great  crowd  filled  the  hall,  overflowing  the 
lobbies  outside  and  turning  thousands  away  in 
a  disappointed  stream.  The  assembly  was  com- 
posed of  the  distinguished  and  honored  of  the 
land,  representing  perhaps  more  truly  and  fully 
the  powers  which  then  wielded  our  great 
nation  than  anv  similar  assemblv  ever  convened 


.ANXn'ERSARY  SPEECHES.  i  45 

in  our  country's  history.  The  Hon.  vSchuyler 
Colfax,  Speaker  of  the  House,  presided. 
Lieut.  General  Grant  sat  immediately  before- 
him,  flanked  by  Generals  and  Admirals,. 
Senators  and  Representatives,  by  Chief  Justice 
Chase,  Bishop  Janes,  and  Mr.  Geo.  H.  Stuart,, 
with  other  workers  and  speakers  for  the  Com- 
mission. 

Precisely  at  seven  o'clock  the  exercises  began 
by  the  singing  of  the  noble  hymn  of  praise, 

"Jesus  shall  reign  where'er  the  sun 
Does  his  successive  journeys  run, 
His  kingdom  stretch  from  shore  to  shore, 
Till  moons  shall  wax  and  wane  no  more," 

the  audience  rising  and  joining  in  the  praise.. 
Pra3xr  was  offered  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Boynton, 
Chaplain  of  the  House,  and  a  Scripture  selection 
read  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Taylor,  Secretary  of  the 
American  Bible  wSociety. 

vSpeaker  Colfax  then  made  some  introductory- 
remarks,  and  at  the  close  said :  ' '  You  have- 
already  heard  a  minister  of  Christ  who  has  acted 
as  a  delegate  of  the  Commission  in  the  armies, 
of  the  East ;  it  would  be  proper  now  to  listen  ta 
the  testimony  of  another  divine  who  labored 
with  the  armies  of  the  West.     I  have  the  pleas.- 


146  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

ure  of  introducing  to  you  the  Rev.  B.  W.  Chid- 
law,  of  Ohio." 

(Address  of  Rev.  B.  W.  Chidlaw.) 
"  Brethren  : — When  I  was  a  boy  in  Ohio,  my 
mother  taught  me  the  lesson  of  obedience,  and 
I  do  not  wish  ever  to  prove  recreant  to  her  good 
teachings.  Else,  sir,  I  should  not  dare  to  stand 
up  before  such  an  audience  to-night,  called  out 
so  unexpectedly  and  suddenly.  But,  brethren 
and  friends,  I  am  ready  always  to  lift  up  my 
voice,  feeble  as  it  may  be,  for  my  God  and  iny 
country.  (Applause.)  The  United  States  Chris- 
tian and  vSanitary  Commissions  are  institutions 
peculiar  to  the  United  States  of  America.  Eng- 
land had  a  Florence  Nightingale,  whose  wo- 
manly heart  throbbed  in  earnest  sympathy  with 
the  suffering  soldiers  of  the  Crimea.  The 
United  States  of  America,  embodying  the  great 
principles  of  philanthropy,  of  patriotism,  and  of 
religion,  have  embodied  the  sentiment  and  the 
conviction,  the  piety,  and  the  humanity  of 
Florence  Nightingale  in  these  and  kindred  glo- 
rious institutions  that  are  alike  the  glory  of  our 
country  and  the  honor  of  our  common  Christian- 
ity. The  first  delegate  of  the  Christian  Com- 
mission of  whom  I  ever  knew  was  a  shepherd 


ANX/l'ERSAR } '  SPEECHES.  1 47 

boy  in  Israel.  In  the  midst  of  war,  when  his 
brothers  were  in  camp,  his  father  called  him  to 
him  and  said  '  My  son,  go  to  the  front  with  this 
parched  corn  and  cheese,  and  these  barley 
loaves,  and  see  how  thy  brethren  fare,  and  cheer 
them  with  these  presents.'  Thus  early  was 
fixed  the  communication  between  the  home  and 
the  camp.  From  this  source — the  blessed  Book 
that  has  God  for  its  author,  truth  for  its  mat- 
ter, and  eternal  life  for  its  aim — the  Christian 
Commission  drew  its  principles  and  its  inspira- 
tion. And  it  has  a  history.  We  are  writino-  it 
down  to-night,  and  sealing  it  with  these  closing 
scenes.  Its  four  years'  record  is  complete.  We 
are  hereto  close  up  the  army  work  of  the  Ameri- 
can people  in  their  homes,  and,  with  the  noble 
army  that  you  had  in  the  field,  my  illustrious 
General,  (turning  and  addressing  himself  to 
General  Grant)  we  have  come  to  be  mustered 
out  of  the  service.      (Applause.) 

"The  gallant  39th  of  Ohio  was  mustered  in 
when  the  call  of  our  imperilled  country  sound- 
ed through  the  land — a  thousand  strong,  in 
July, of  1861 ;  and  with  our  arms  and  munitions, 
and  our  knapsacks  strung,  we  marched  for  Mis- 
souri, whose  soil  the  noble  Lyon  had  just  bap- 


148  BEXJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

tized  with  his  loyal  blood.  (Applause.)  For 
four  years  and  more  that  gallant  regiment  made 
its  history.  You  had  it  my  noble  General  (ad- 
dressing Gen.  Grant),  in  the  midst  of  those  il- 
lustrious regiments  whom  you  mustered  out  at 
Camp  Dennison,  in  Ohio,  last  July.  The  old 
Chaplain  felt  a  glowing  pride  in  his  boys  and 
officers  of  the  39th,  and  went  among  them  with 
all  his  early  love,  to  see  them  honorably  yield 
up  the  service  they  had  been  permitted  to  take 
upon  them  for  their  country.  Out  of  the  full 
thousand  men  who  left  their  homes  in  Ohio,, 
only  309  were  there  to  give  up  the  arms  which 
they  had  so  bravely  wielded  for  the  right,  un- 
der your  leadership.  General,  with  such  glori- 
ous success.     (Applause.) 

"  Brethren  of  the  Christian  Commission,  and 
friends  in  this  great  assembly  at  the  Capitol  of 
my  country,  we  are  here  to  be  mustered  out  of 
this  service  for  our  homes  and  churches,  and 
for  Christ,  among  the  boys  in  the  field.  Thank 
God,  the  days  for  this  service  are  over.  But  I 
think  now  of  the  blessed  work  of  preaching 
Jesus  among  my  men,  of  what  good  meetings 
we  had,  what  glorious  prayer  meetings,  how 
my  Colonel,   and    the   officers   helped    the    old 


A  X.y/  J  'ERSA  R  } '  SPEECHES. 


149 


Chaplain  in  his  work,  made  his  heart  strong-  to 
preach  Christ,  and  helped  him  in  his  efforts  to 
lead  the  boys  to  a  higher  and  a  holier  life,  and 
to  fight  down  the  rebellion.  And  just  such  are 
the  reminiscences  of  the  Commission's  work. 
But  there  are  now  no  more  favors  to  be 
granted  by  the  Government;  no  more  aid  to 
receive  at  the  hand  of  military  officers.  You 
gave  your  favors  generously  (addressing  the 
distinguished  civil  and  military  officers  around 
him),  and  we  thank  you,  in  the  name  of 
the  people,  and  of  the  churches,  and  of  all 
those  to  whom  our  work  came  with  a  blessing. 
You  made  our  hearts  strong  and  valiant  to  la- 
bor for  Christ,  and  to  do  good  to  the  bodies,  as 
well  as  the  soul,  of  every  blue-coat  man  from 
the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific.  (Great  applause.) 
We  thank  you,  General  (General  Grant),  and 
through  you  your  officers;  W'C  thank  the  repre- 
sentatives of  our  Government,  the  army  and 
navy,  all,  for  the  great  encouragement  and  the 
unexpected  and  enlarged  facilities  you  gave  us 
in  our  humble  ministry.  And,  my  brother  (ap- 
proaching Mr.  Stuart,  the  President  of  the 
Commission,  and  in  the  midst  of  great  applause 
shaking    him    with    warm    earnestness  bv   the 


150  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHID  LAW. 

hand),  my  brother,  we  muster  you  out  to-night. 
We  shall  not  meet  with  you  again,  nor  with  our 
brethren  of  the  Commission.  In  a  hundred 
places,  and  from  thousands  of  platforms  and 
pulpits,  we  have  plead  the  cause  of  the  soldiers. 
Oh !  blessed  be  God,  that  He  gave  you,  and  all 
the  brethren  who  stood  up  for  the  Commission 
at  home,  in  behalf  of  the  men  in  the  front,  and 
reaching-  out  to  the  great  heart  of  the  men  and 
women  of  the  North,  securing  these  six  millions 
of  dollars'  worth  of  blessings  and  comforts  to 
help  the  American  soldier  in  his  battle  for  the 
Government,  and  for  right  and  truth  in  the 
world.  (Applause.)  Yes,  brother  delegates, 
many  a  scene  in  the  prayer  meeting,  around 
the  camp  fire,  in  the  hospital,  in  the  tent,  when 
we  talked  of  Jesus  to  the  boys  in  blue,  when  we 
mingled  our  prayers  and  our  songs  with  them, 
and  bade  them  be  strong  in  the  Lord  and  in 
the  power  of  his  might,  comes  to  mind  now. 
Happy  days  !  They  are  burned  into  these 
hearts  of  ours,  and  we  will  speak  of  them  when 
the  next  mustering  hour  comes,  at  the  last  great 
day,  when  the  glorious  Captain  of  our  salvation 
— Jesus  Christ — shall  say  to  us,  '  Come  up 
higher, '  and  we  shall  cast  our   crowns   at  His 


ANNI I  -ERSA  R ) '  SPEECHES.  I  5  J 

feet,  and  talk  over  His  work  in  the  hospital,  in 
the  field,  in  the  camp  and  by  the  way,  and  be 
forever  with  one  another,  and  the  Lord. 

"But,  brethren,  the  reapers  follow  the  sow- 
ers. We  are  mustered  out  to-night  from  sow- 
ing that  we  may  go  to  reaping.  Why,  it  is. 
reaping  time  already !  The  other  day,  in  a  lit- 
tle log  cabin  in  the  upper  valley  of  the  Miami^ 
I  stood  preaching  the  gospel  to  a  group  of 
children.  A  mother  caine  up  to  me  and  said,. 
'  Preacher,  I  want  you  to  go  home  with  me. 
My  boy  was  buried  near  Atlanta.  I  want  you 
to  go  home  with  me!'  '  I  will  go,'  I  said.  She 
took  me  with  her.  Reaching  her  home,  she 
opened  a  little  drawer  and  brought  out  a  pack- 
age which  she  unfolded  carefully,  and  then 
handed  me  a  letter.  '  Don't  you  see  the  little 
dove  in  the  corner  ?'  she  said,  '  and  the  words 
United  States  Christian  Commission  ?'  What 
was  it  ?  It  was  the  last  letter  from  her  boy,, 
written  by  a  delegate  of  the  Commission — her 
dear  boy,  her  all.  who  had  given  himself  for 
his  country,  and  whom  she  had  given  cheer- 
fully to  the  cause.  Oh !  how  rich  a  country  is 
ours,  brethren,  saved  by  the  blood  of  such  sons, 
of  such  mothers! — consecrated  by  the  mother 


5  52  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLA  W. 

love  of  the  thousands  of  bereft  ones,  who  in 
the  midst  of  their  loneliness  and  tears,  reioice 
•over  a  land  redeemed,  regenerated,  disen- 
thralled !  Let  us  thank  God,  brethren,  for  our 
^Government,  and  for  anything  we  have  done  to 
sustain  it  in  the  hour  of  its  peril !  for  our  army 
•and  many  victories.  And  Oh !  whenever  we 
see  that  banner,  that  beautiful  emblem  of  our 
-national  life  and  power,  let  us  thank  God  that 
it  is  unsullied  and  free,  and  let  us,  girding  our- 
selves with  His  might,  be  nerved  anew  to  work 
for  Him,  to  do  our  whole  duty,  and  to  live  for 
:glory,  honor  and  immortality,  and  all  will  be 
well."     (Enthusiastic  applause.) 

"America"   was  sung  at  this  point,  with   a 
positively    thrilling    emphasis.       (Special    dis- 
patch to  the  Cincinnati  Enq2iircr.) 
i;(From  a  Washington  paper  to  friends  in  Cincin- 
nati.) 
"Washin'Gton,  D.   C,  Feb.  12,  1866. 
"One  of  your  citizens,  Rev.  B.  W.  Chidlaw, 
■carried  off  the  palm  for  eloquence  last  night  at 
the  final  annual  celebration  of  the  United  States 
'Christian    Commission.       His    speech  took    the 
.house   by   storm,    and  thoroughly   aroused  the 
vast  assemblage,  who  became  perfectly  enthus- 


ANN  I  VERSA  R  \ '  SPEECHES. 


153 


a  Stic,  and  gave  the  Reverend  gentleman  round 
upon  round  of  applause  during  the  course  of 
his  remarks,  and  thrilled  the  vast  audience  with 
his  eloquent  illustrations  of  the  noble  work  done 
hy  the  western  armies.  His  allusions  to  the 
closing  labors  of  the  Commission  were  so  affect- 
ing as  to  melt  the  audience  to  tears.  He  was 
unanimously  dubbed  the  orator — par  excellence 
of  the  occasion." 


CHAPTER  XI. 
RETURN  TO  PEACE  OCCUPATIOXS. 


THE  war  over,  the  Union  conserved,  and  the 
slaves  liberated.  Rev.  Mr.  Chidlaw,  now 
better  known  by  the  title  of  "  Doctor,"  returned 
to  the  quieter  employments  and  more  tranquil 
scenes  of  peaceful  home  life. 

But  this  transition  from  warlike  to  peaceful 
scenes  brought  our  hero  no  rest.  He  never 
knew  how  to  rest.  Some  persons  never  learn 
that  art, — till  they  rest  forever,  by  the  fine-or- 
dered, frictionless  activity  of  the  life  eternal. 
The  termination  of  the  war  meant  to  Dr.  Chid- 
law a  change  of  work,  not  its  cessation;  and 
accordingly  we  find  him  at  once  active  again  in 
all  manner  of  lines  of  missionar}-,  evangelistic 
and  philanthropic  labors. 

Thus  in  1866,  in  a  manner  almost  playful,, 
taking  up  the  imagery  made  familiar  to  him  by 
army  experiences,  he  writes  to  that  veteran 
Christian  worker,  Geo.  H.  Stuart,  Esq.,  of  the 
progress  of  certain  revival  efforts  in  which  he 
had  been  engaged. 


RETCRX  TO  PEACE  OCCCPA  T/ChVS.  I  5  5 

Camp  Zion,  Co.  Ohio,  March  7,  1S66. 
G.  H.  Stuart,  Esq.  : 

My  Dear  Brother: — News  from  the  battle- 
field will  be  acceptable  to  you.  "Mustered 
out,"  we  are  yet  in  the  service.      I  spent  a  few 

days  at  ,  eight  miles  from  here,  where  the 

conflict  was  raging.  Sixty  slain  of  the  Lord 
were  taken  from  the  field,  crying  for  mercy. 
In  the  hospital,  they  found  the  Great  Physician 
and  the  balm  of  Gilead,  and  were  healed.  Won- 
derful healing! 

Among  these  was  my  own  dear  boy,  now  in 
Christ,  and  I  hope  that,  with  G.  H.  vStuart,  Jr., 
he  w^ll  yet  stand  on  the  walls  of  Zion  preaching 
the  everlasting  Gospel  to  perishing  sinners. 

Four  days  ago  I  received  marching  orders  for 
this  post  and  reluctantly  left  the  field  of  vic- 
tory and  rejoicing  at  .      This  post  is  held 

by  a  small  garrison  surrounded  by  an  enemy 
400  strong,  and  well  entrenched.  I  found  the 
garrison  a  small  force  living  on  half  rations  and 
with  very  little  communication  with  the  base  of 
supplies. 

Acting  under  the  orders  "  ask  and  ye  shall  re- 
ceive "  we  drew  near  to  the  Captain  of  the  host, 
and  we  soon  found  that  communications  were 


156  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

opened,  supplies  came  and  we  have  been  skir- 
mishing-. The  enemy  will  not  come  out  of 
their  earthworks,  only  a  few  have  met  us  on  the 
field. 

We  made  a  charge  last  night,  and  five  of  the 
enemy  cried  for  quarters,  laid  down  their  arms, 
and  are  earnestly  seeking  reconciliation.  Our 
Captain  is  very  gracious,  and  now  three  of 
them  are  His  willing  subjects,  and  will  take  up 
arms  in  his  defence.  Our  supplies  from  the 
base  are  increasing,  the  rank  and  file  is  grow- 
ing valiant,  and  our  orders  are  still  "  Forward." 

We  hope  to  meet  the  enemy  in  larger  num- 
bers to-day,  and  that  our  glorious  leader  will 
plant  our  battery  in  range,  and  that  the  slain  of 
the  Lord  will  be  many. 

The  ranks  are  closing  up,  and  we  hope  for  a 
decided  victory. 

Pray  for  me  I  My  poor  soul  is  greatly  re- 
frerhed  and  strengthened.  I  never  had  more 
real  pleasure  in  performing  my  ministry.  How 
blessed  are  we  when  the  Lord  is  with  us,  and 
his  arm  revealed. 

Your  brother  in  Christ, 

B.  W.   Chidlaw. 

Though  a  peaceful  man,  and  not  disposed  to 


RETURN  TO  PEACE  OCCUPA  TIOXS.  I  5  7 

quarrel  with  his  brethren,  he  was  yet  a  man  of 
decided  opinions,  and  of  practical  purposes,  who 
knew  how  to  lovingly,  yet  clearly,  assert  his 
opinions. 

As  a  proof  of  his  skill  in  reconciling"  differ- 
ences, the  following  incident,  which  took  place 
at  a  certain  meeting  of  the  general  assembly,  is 
mentioned:  "During  the  devotional  meeting 
this  morning,  which  occupied  about  one  hour 
preceding  the  assembly,  the  first  half  hour  was 
chiefly  spent  by  several  members  rehearsing  the 
disruption  of  the  church  in  1837,  their  personal 
experience  in  the  struggle,  and  other  matters  en- 
tirely foreign  to  the  spirit  of  the  hour.  It  was 
very  evident  that  the  large  audience  did  not 
relish  his  method  of  conducting  a  prayer  meet- 
ing. At  an  opportune  moment,  deliverance  was 
obtained.  Rev.  B.  W.  Chidlaw  stood  up  and 
read  with  emphasis  from  the  Bible  without  com- 
ment :  '  Brethren,  I  count  not  myself  to  have 
apprehended ;  but  this  one  thing  I  do,  forgetting 
those  things  which  are  behind,  and  reaching 
unto  those  things  that  are  before,  I  press  to- 
ward the  mark  for  the  prize  of  the  high  calling 
of  God  in  Christ  Jesus. ' 

"All  felt  the  force  of  this,   and  like  a  nail  in 


I  5  S  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLA  W. 

a  sure  place,  it  had  the  desired  effect.  Windy 
speeches  ceased,  warm  prayers  were  offered, 
wath  an  occasional  hymn,  till  the  close  of  the 
hoar." 

All  manner  of  enterprises  commanded  his 
attention  and  interest.  One  writes :  ' '  We  saw 
Brother  Chidlaw  yesterday  on  his  way  to  the 
Reform  School.  From  thence  he  goes  a  couple 
of  hundred  miles  to  a  Sunday-.school  Conven- 
tion, where  he  remains  until  Friday,  and  lec- 
tures that  evening;  Friday  night  a  two-hun- 
dred miles'  ride  to  Cincinnati,  where  he  break- 
fasts Saturday  morning.  vSaturday  forenoon, 
home,  and  takes  dinner  with  his  famil}'.  Sat- 
urday afternoon,  to  Aurora,  Ind.,  where  he 
preaches  Sunday  in  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
Pretty  good  for  the  old  veteran  of  sixty-five 
years  of  age." 

Rev.  Dr.  Chidlaw's  life-long  love,  the  Sun- 
day-school, never  failed  to  enlist  his  sympathy 
and  interest. 

While  in  the  army,  he  endeavored  to  carry 
out  and  apply  its  principles  in  garrison  and 
camp ;  as  long  ago  as  Aug. ,  1 86 1  (being  then  just 
on  the  point  of  departure  for  St.  Louis),  ad- 
dressing- a  meetinof  held  in  the  interests  of  Sab- 


RETURN  TO  PEACE  OCCUPA  T/OXS.  I  5  9 

"bath-school  work,  he  spoke  earnestly  "of  the 
great  mission  of  the  Sunda3^-school  to  afford 
personal  religious  instruction,  with  the  view 
that  those  instructed  shall  be  converted  to  God. 
This  end,  this  absorbing  idea,  should  never  for 
■one  moment  be  lost  sight  of."  The  promises 
of  God  to  encourage  in  the  Word  were  quoted ; 
the  records  of  instances,  many  and  sweet,  of 
the  favor  and  help  of  God  were  spoken  of.  The 
way  in  which  our  instructions  should  be  im- 
parted, always  under  the  deep  conviction  that 
our  scholars  were  sinners,  unconverted,  need- 
ing the  new  birth,  was  urged  feelingly  by  the 
speaker. 

This  tireless  and  able  advocacy  of  the  spirit- 
ual claims  of  the  children,  inevitably  had  the 
effect  of  bringing  Dr.  Chidlaw  into  very  prom- 
inent notice.  He  had  become  the  apostle  of 
the  vSabbath-school  inovement,  and  his  follow- 
ers were  from  every  quarter.  The  Sunday 
School  Tillies^  July,  1875,  published  his  portrait, 
with  this  kindly  notice:  "Everybody  who 
has  ever  known  this  veteran  Sunda5'-school 
missionary  will  recognize  the  portrait  on  our 
first  page.  He  is  one  of  the  pioneers  in  the 
work    of   the    Sunday-school    evangelization  of 


l6o  BENJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

America.  Earnest  souls  who  in  the  earlier 
years  of  a  great  movement  throw  their  whole 
energies  into  it,  and  devote  their  lives  thereaf- 
ter to  its  promotion,  are  the  men  who  in  the 
hour  of  its  triumphs  it  delights  to  honor.  The 
Sundav-school  cause  so  looks  to-day  on  the 
missionaries  Chidlaw  and  Paxson,  McCullagh 
and  Corey,  and  Upson  and  others,  whose  lives 
have  been  spent  in  organizing  and  cherishing' 
Sunday-schools  during  most  of  the  last  half 
century. 

' '  Among-  our  American  Sunday--  school  mis- 
sionaries none  has  done  a  nobler  work  than 
the  subject  of  our  sketch.  Thoroughly  imbued 
with  American  ideas  and  with  the  spirit  of 
American  institutions,  which  by  his  powerful 
appeals  and  still  more  effective  personal  labors, 
he  has  done  so  much,  under  God,  to  shape  by 
Bible  teachings  and  influences,  yet  he  is  not  a 
native  American.  We  owe  to  the  little  Princi- 
pality,' of  Wales  the  gift  of  a  Chidlaw  to  Amer- 
ica. 

•"From  that  time  (1842)  to  the  present,  he 
has  never  been  out  of  the  Sundaj^-school  har- 
ness. Although  during  the  war  a  Chaplain 
and  a  Christian  Commission   worker,  he  never 


RETURN  TO  PEACE  OCCUPATIONS.  I  6t 

yielded  his  Sunday-school  mission,  but  in  the 
army  ministered  to  his  Sabbath-school  boys, 
formed  his  '  brotherhood '  and  Bible-classes, 
and  Sunday-schools  in  camp,  in  hospital,  and 
wherever  he  could  gather  the  men  to  hear  and 
to  study  the  blessed  Book. 

"  For  the  last  ten  years  he  has  been  Superin- 
tendent of  Missions  of  the  American  Sunday- 
school  Union  in  Ohio  and  Indiana." 

In  connection  with  this  publication  of  his. 
portrait,  Mr.  I.  Newton  Baker,  editor  of  the 
Sunday  School  Times,  wrote : 

"My  Dear  Brother  Chidlaw: 

' '  I  have  great  pleasure  in  bringing  out 
your  portrait  in  this  week's  Times.  I  could 
have  said  much,  very  much  more,  but  I  fore- 
bore  since  you  are  yet  a  living,  working  man, 
and  I  am  not  yet  called  on,  thank  the  good  Fa- 
ther, to  write  your  obituary. 

"  May  our  dear  Father  in  Heaven,  blessing, 
bless  you,  and  keeping,  keep  you  unto  the  end,, 
and  give  you  a  crown  of  life  sparkling  with 
soul-jewels." 

Everywhere  he  was  cordially  received.  He 
seemed  always  in  the  mood  for  Sunday-school 
Conventions,    and    they  for   him.       His  was  a 


1 62  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

«oul-stirring  style  of  oratory.  Someone  who 
was  present  at  a  Convention  held  once  in  Mich- 
igan, thus  recorded  his  impressions  on  the  gath- 
'cring : 

"The  afternoon  children's  meeting  was  grand 
— the  gathering  splendid,  the  audience,  music, 
speaking,  all  that  could  be  desired.  Ralph 
Wells — the  last  speaker — touching,  thrilling, 
•good:    Chidlaw,    good,    good.  *  *  * 

The  evening  came — hall  packed,  gallery,  ante- 
Tooms  and  all  full.  *  *  *  Here  Chid- 
law made  one  of  his  greatest  efforts.  He  car- 
ried everything  before  him.  He  spoke  of  the 
army,  and  the  kind  of  education  needed  to  pre- 
pare the  young  for  the  battles  of  life.  His  ap- 
appeal  to  parents  was  overwhelming." 


CHAPTER  XII. 
LABORS  FOR   THE  CHILD  REX. 


IN  consequence  of  these  successful  labors  di- 
rectly with  the  young,  there  very  naturally 
came  to  be  applied  to  their  eloc|uent  friend  the 
decidedly  complimentary  appellation  of  "The 
Children's  Minister,"  with  which  title  the  6'?;/- 
ci)i)iati  Times,,  in  1876,  headed  a  quotation  from 
the  Neiv  York  Mail  and  Express,  in  which  the 
latter  paper  had  presented  a  sketch  of  Dr. 
Chidlaw's  career,  its  subject  being  then  in  at- 
tendance upon  the  New  School  Assembly  in 
New  York: 

"  Rev.  Dr.  B.  W.  Chidlaw,  of  Harrison  Junc- 
tion, Ohio,  has,  perhaps,  a  larger  and  more 
populous  church  than  any  commissioner  in  the 
assembly.  For  over  a  quarter  of  a  century  he 
has  been  engaged,  under  the  auspices  of  the 
American  Sunda3^-school  Union  and  kindred  so- 
cieties, in  establishing  Sunday-schools  through- 
out the  West,  and  during  that  extended  period 
he  has  probably  addressed  more  children    than 


164  BEXJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

any  other  man  in  the  countn'.  In  this  field  of 
usefulness  his  reputation  is  immense,  and  has 
won  him  the  title  of  the  '  Children's  Minister," 
by  which  he  is  universal!}'  known.  But  when 
roused  to  his  work  he  speaks  with  great  facility, 
fluency  and  perfect  eloquence.  He  has  the 
happy,  though  rare,  gift  of  attracting  the  inter- 
est and  holding  the  attention  of  children  in  the 
most  remarkable  manner,  and  his  juvenile  audi- 
ences never  tire  of  hearing  him," 

And  then  the  Cincinnati  Times  adds,  by  way 
of  comment  on  this  sketch : 

"  Of  no  man  in  the  community  can  it  be  said 
more  justly,  '  He  goes  about  continually  doingf 
good,'  than  of  Dr.  Chidlaw.  He  gained  the  title 
of  D.  D.  in  the  army.  The  good  old  Doctor  pro- 
tested frequently  in  our  presence  that  he  was. 
not  entitled  to  the  honor,  but  the  soldiers  unani- 
mously voted  that  he  was. 

' '  No  man  in  the  army  was  more  venerated  or 
loved   than  Dr.  Chidlaw.     Always  happy  and 

cheerful  himself,  he  infused  his  spirit  into  the 
men,  and  made  sunshine  and  happiness  wherever 
he  went.  The  great  secret  of  his  success  with 
children  is  that  he  never  grows  old  himself.  He 
takes  an  interest  in  whatever  interests  children. 


LABORS  FOR  THE  CHILDREN.  i  65 

His  appearance  at  the  Boys'  Reform  vSchool  of 
Ohio,  that  lie  visits  monthly  as  one  of  its  Di- 
rectors, is  the  signal  for  a  general  throwing  up 
of  hats  and  shouts  of  pleasure.  The  world  is 
blessed  in  the  lives  of  such  men." 

None  the  less  hearty  is  this  tribute  to  Dr. 
Chidlaw's  worth,  found  in  an  account  of  a  vS.  S. 
reunion  and  festival,  published  in  the  Cincinnati 
Covinicrcial  vn  June  of  1876: 

The    eighth  hymn,  'Over    There, '  was  sung 

next,  and  then  Mr.  F said :   '  Probably  there 

is  not  another  man  in  the  West  who  has  done  as 
much  for  the  vSunday-school  as  the  man  about 
to  address  you.  You  all  know  Brother  Chidlaw. ' 
Yes,  they  all  know  him,  and  recognize  him,  too, 
for  he  was  kept  standing  for  several  seconds, 
silent,  until  the  assembly  poured  out  its  ovation 
of  applause.  And  then  the  veteran  worker  gave 
them  a  good  talk.  He  was  reminded  on  seeing 
them,  of  a  remark  he  once  heard  by  a  distin- 
guished statesman,  that  '  Children  are  the  life- 
blood  of  the  nation. ' 

"  They  had  met  with  glad  hearts  and  tuneful 
voices  to  celebrate  Christian  liberty.  He  told 
them  of  the  Eddystone  Lighthouse  on  the  coast 
of  England,  placed  there  to  give  light  and  life. 


I  66  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHI  DLAW. 

And  that  is  the  mission  of  the  vSunday- school — 
the  Hght  of  God's  truth,  and  the  salvation  of 
God  through  faith.  The  Sunday-school  gives 
light  through  an  open  Bible,  and  it  is  a  light- 
house kindled  in  more  than  six  thousand  local- 
ities throughout  this  land.  The  Sunday-school 
teachers  are  light-bearers  both  by  precept  and 
by  example. 

"  He  congratulated  the  workers  present  upon 
the  success  of  the  celebration,  and  encouraged 
them  to  further  effort,  in  the  language  of  an 
English  nobleman,  namely,  that  '  We  must  go 
lower  and  strike  higher'  for  still  greater  and 
grander  results  in  Christian  civilization." 

At  a  S.  vS.  Convention  held  in  May,  1876,  at 
Hartsville,  Ind.,  the  Secretary  stated  in  the 
Minutes  the  fact  that  Dr.  Chidlaw  preached  a 
sermon  to  adults  and  children  from  the  text, 
Ps.  34:  II,  and  added  that  he  was  'too  deeply 
interested  to  make  an  abstract  of  the  sermon. 
The  house  was  crowded  and  many  were  stand- 
ing without.  When  Rev.  Dr.  Chidlaw  took  his 
seat  he  suggested  that  the  children  be  permitted 
to  withdraw  before  the  convention  proceeded  to 
transact  business ;  but  instead  of  withdrawing, 
the  children  came   crowding  upon  the  platform 


LABORS  FOR  THE  CHILDREN.  \bj 

and  almost  buried  the  old  man  beneath  the 
flowers  they  showered  upon  him,  thus  fairly- 
overwhelming'  their  venerable  friend  and  pre- 
ceptor with  this  loving  impression  of  their  re^ 
spect  and  gratitude.  This  unexpected  scene, 
we  read,  produced  a  most  happy  impression  on 
all  the  audience,  and  was  a  fitting-  close  of  a  con- 
vocation of  Christian  workers. " 

"  The  old  maxim,  'Catch  the  parent  by  first 
catching  the  child  '  is  freshly  illustrated  by  an 
incident  which  a  correspondent  of  TJic  Sunday 
School  Times  tells  of  our  veteran  worker,  Chid- 
law.  Leaving  the  railroad,  he  walked  five  miles- 
over  the  hills,  crossing  creeks  on  driftwood,  to. 
attend  a  Sunday-school  Convention  in  Hancock 
County,  during  which  he  preached  to  a  large 
assembly  of  youths,  and  three  times  the  next 
Sunday.  In  the  audience  on  the  Sabbath  was- 
a  gentleman  of  good  repute,  who  had  not  been 
seen  in  a  house  of  worship  in  twenty  years. 

' '  When  inquired  of,  why  he  attended  twice 
that  day — did  he  know  Dr.  Chidlaw?  'No,  sir,' 
he  replied,  '  but  my  children  heard  the  stranger 
the  other  day,  and  when  they  came  home  they- 
talked  of  nothing  else  but  his  sermon,  and  I  felt 


I  68  BEXJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

that  I  would  like  to  hear  the  man  that  could  get 
such  a  hold  of  my  children.'  " 

The  kind  of  illustrative  bait  with  which,  in 
Tiis  happy,  kindly  fashion.  Dr.  Chidlaw  caught 
the  attention  of  his  little  hearers  may  be  judged 
by  one  example,  selected  from  an  address  de- 
livered at  Cincinnati,  and  reported  in  the  Pres- 
hytcr. 

"  The  Rev,  Dr.  Chidlaw  said  that  once  when 
he  was  in  New  Bedford,  Massachusetts,  he  heard 
of  a  whale  ship  that  was  just  about  to  leave  the 
harbor.  Having  never  seen  such  a  vessel,  he 
went  on  board  to  see  it.  He  found  quite  a 
number  of  boys  and  young  men  there.  After 
looking  round  a  little,  examining  the  ship,  he 
found  the  boys  had  disappeared.  He  asked  the 
captain  what  became  of  them.  He  answered 
they  had  gone  below  to  recite  their  lessons. 
'  "What,'  said  he  '  do  you  teach  the  boys? '  '  Oh 
3-es, '  was  the  reply,  '  we  give  the  boys  their 
lessons.'  On  obtaining  leave,  he  went  down  in 
the  hold  to  see  them.  He  found  them  sitting 
round  on  boxes  and  chests,  and  an  old  weather- 
beaten  sailor  standing  before  them  with  a  mar- 
iner's compass  in  hand,  while  each  of  the  boys 
had  a  card    with  a  picture  of  it   drawn  upon  it. 


LABORS  FOR  THE  CHILDREN.  I  69 

Beino-  informed  that  they  were  learning- to  '  box 
the  compass,'  he  inquired  what  that  meant. 
'  It  is  to  learn  the  use  of  the  compass  in  sailing 
upon  the  ocean,' was  the  reply.  'Well,  chil- 
ren,"  said  Mr.  Chidlaw,  '  the  Bible  is  your  com- 
pass by  which  you  are  to  steer  your  way  as  you 
sail  through  life.  vStudy  well  that  Bible,  and 
follow  its  directions,  just  as  the  sailor  follows  the 
directions  of  his  compass  in  sailing  over  a  dark 
and  stormy  ocean.  You,  too,  must  learn  to 
'box  the  compass.'  " 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

VARIOUS  TRA  VELS  AND  LABORS. 


IN  a  letter  written  from  Philadelphia  in  1876 
he  speaks  of  the  observance  of   the  vSabbath 
at  the  Centennial  Exposition : 

"The  Sabbath,  by  the  laws  of  God  and  the 
Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania,  by  the  firm 
resolves  of  the  Board  of  Centennial  Commis- 
sioners and  the  earnest  approval  of  good  citi- 
zens all  over  our  broad  land,  is  to  be  kept  holy 
— the  gates  of  the  park  are  to  be  closed  and  a 
day  of  rest  enjoyed.  All  of  the  foreign  exhib- 
itors except  France  approve  the  action  of  the 
Commissioners,  and  stand  up  for  the  American 
Christian  Sabbath.  Mr.  Corliss,  of  Providence 
R.  I.,  who  built  the  great  engine  that  moves 
fourteen  acres  of  machinery,  said  that  if  the 
gates  were  thrown  open  on  the  Sabbath  he 
would  cover  up  his  machine. 

"At  Paris  and  Vienna  the  English  and 
American  exhibitors  cover  up  their  goods  on 
the  Sabbath,  while  all  other  nations  allow  the 
day  of  hallowed  rest  to  be  desecrated. 


VARIOUS  TRA  VELS  AND  LABORS.  I  7  I 

"This  Christian  nation  is  not  ready  to  give 
tip  the  vSabbath  or  to  jeopardize  its  civil  and  re- 
ligious liberties  by  its  abandonment.  The  strug- 
gle between  the  friends  and  the  enemies  on  the 
Sabbath  in  front  of  the  gates  of  the  park,  and 
the  glorious  victory  won  by  the  former,  are 
hopeful  signs  as  we  enter  upon  the  second  cen- 
tury of  our  national  life,  and  good  fruits  of  the 
Centennial  Exposition." 

The  impression  his  downright  earnestness 
and  undoubted  sincerity  made  upon  the  secular 
press  may  be  inferred  from  the  subjoined  ac- 
count of  one  of  the  Moody  and  Sankey  meet- 
ings held  in  Philadelphia  in  1875: 

"After  the  opening  hymn,  'I  Need  Thee 
Every  Hour,'  prayer  was  offered  by  that  well- 
known  pioneer  Sunday-school  missionary.  Rev. 
Dr.  Chidlaw. 

"  His  cry  was  for  the  descent  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  upon  those  gathered  for  worship,  that  all 
the  Christians  present  might  be  brought  up  out 
■of  Egypt  into  the  enjoyment  of  a  loving  Chris- 
tian experience  and  a  holier  life,  through  Christ's 
dear  name.  The  prayer  was  no  formal  utter- 
ance, but  the  supplication  of  a  man  who,  during 
.a  long  term  of  Christian  service,  amid  hardship 


172  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CIIIDLA  W. 

and  difficulty  and  frequent  discouragement,  has 
learned  to  expect  help  from  God  in  every  time 
of  need,  and  has  learned  from  experience  some- 
thing of  the  power  of  prayer. 

"  On  his  return,  in  1889,  from  a  visit  to  Eng- 
land and  Wales,  Rev.  Dr.  Chidlaw  continued 
with  undiminished  ardor  in  a  variety  of  labors, 
most  actively  and  usefully,  although  certain 
forms  of  work,  involving  more  violent  physical 
exertion,  he  had  been  obliged  to  give  up — as  he 
narrates  in  a  letter  to  a  religious  weekly  of  the 
East: 

"The  Nezu  York  Observer  abounds  in  arti- 
cles of  special  interest  to  the  aged.  Those  pub- 
lished recently  on  the  '  dead  line '  and  '  crossing 
the  line,'  have  awakened  thought  and  brought 
comfort  to  an  aged  minister  far  down  the  de- 
clivity of  life.  He  has  been  in  the  gospel  min- 
istry since  1835,  when  he  was  licensed  by  the 
Presbytery  of  Oxford,  and  since  1836  he  has 
been  a  missionary  of  the  American  Sunday- 
School  Union  in  Ohio  and  Indiana,  spending 
several  winters  in  the  eastern  cities  in  behalf  of 
the  vSociety. 

"Though  no  longer  able  to  ride  on  horse- 
back, following   section    lines  or   blazed    tracks 


VARIOUS  TRA  VELS  AND  LABORS.  I  7  3 

through  the  forests,  exploring-  destitute  locali- 
ties, organizing  Union  vSunday-schools,  and 
preaching  the  blessed  Gospel  of  the  Son  of  God, 
he  enjoys  good  health  and  heart  to  continue  in 
his  chosen  work,  aiding  in  the  extension  and  im- 
provements of  Sunday-schools,  participating  in 
county  and  state  conventions,  preaching  to  the 
young  in  reformatories,  pauper  homes  and  juv- 
enile congregations  over  his  wide  field.  To-day 
he  has  no  intimation  from  his  kind  and  gener- 
ous supporters — the  Society  sending  him  forth, 
or  the  Christian  ministers  and  people  with  whom 
it  is  his  privilege  to  co-operate — that  his  useful- 
ness has  ended;  but,  with  courage,  trust  in  God, 
and  confidence  in  his  work,  he  holds  on  at 
seventy-eight." 

January  30,  1889,  was  a  red-letter  day  among 
the  business  men  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  the  occa- 
sion being  the  dedication  of  a  new  and  magnifi- 
cent building  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce, 
The  dedicatory  exercises  were  attended  by  two 
thousand  of  the  prominent  merchants,  manu- 
facturers, bankers,  etc.,  of  the  city.  The  re- 
ligious features  of  the  services  were  striking  and 
produced  a  marked  impression. 

The   exercises  were    opened    by    the    band's 


174  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLA  W. 

playing  selections  of  national  airs.  President. 
Morrison  then  gave  five  raps  with  his  gavel,  and 
said : 

"Gentlemen  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce: 
and  invited  guests:  You  will  please  come 
to  order.  The  time  appointed  for  the  dedi- 
cation of  this  building  has  at  length  arrived. 
It  is  fitting  and  right  that  the  first  official  act  in 
this  Chamber  shall  be  a  recognition  of  the  Al- 
mighty God,  the  Giver  of  all  good.  We  will 
therefore  bow  in  reverence  while  the  Rev.  Dr.. 
Chidlaw,  whom  I  now  introduce,  invokes  His. 
blessing. 

The  venerable  preacher,  with  a  clear  and  dis- 
tinct voice,  and  great  fervency,  invoked  the 
Divine  blessing  upon  the  exercises  and  the  en- 
terprise. 

There  was  an  especial  appropriateness  in  this, 
selection  of  Rev.  Dr.  Chidlaw  as  the  guide  of 
the  devotions  of  the  assembly,  for,  as  the  old- 
est minister  in  the  Miami  Valley,  he  had  seen 
Cincinnati  expand  from  a  mere  frontier  town  to. 
a  magnificent  city. 

In  the  spring  of  1889,  Rev.  Dr.  Chidlaw^ 
made  a  trip  to  Washington,  to  which  he  alludes. 


VARIOUS  TRA  VELS  AND  LABORS.  I  75 

in  a  letter  dated  March  19,  describing  a  visit  to 
the  White  House: 

"In  company  with  Rev.  J.  \V.  Scott,  D.  D., 
(now  ninety  years  old,  remembered  and  hon- 
ored by  his  students  at  Oxford,  (3. ,  and  Hano- 
ver, Ind.,  now  scattered  over  our  broad  land, 
the  beloved  father  of  ]\Irs.  Harrison,  now  the 
first  lady  in  our  country,  and  in  every  way 
worthy  of  the  exalted  position  she  holds),  I  en- 
tered its  portals.  With  such  an  escort,  and  for 
old  acquaintance's  sake,  the  aged  Sunday-school 
missionary  was  cordially  received,  and  greatly 
enjoyed  his  call. 

"  Once  before,  when  Mr.  Pierce  was  Presi- 
dent, daily  family  worship  was  maintained  in 
the  White  House;  now  the  worthy  ruling  elder, 
our  Chief  Magistrate,  has  erected  the  family  al- 
tar, an  example  deserving  imitation  by  all  the 
Christian  households  in  the  nation.  In  the  of- 
fice of  the  Postmaster-General  I  was  very  kind- 
ly received  by  another  Presbyterian  elder,  the 
founder  and  Superintendent  of  the  Bethany 
Sunday-school  in  Philadelphia  —  Hon.  John 
Wanamaker  —  genial  and  pleasant  as  ever, 
though  overwhelmed  with  business  and  call- 
ers." 


176  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

Rev.  Dr.  Chidlaw's  war  record,  enlightened 
public  spirit,  and  fairly  national  reputation,  led 
President  Harrison  to  appoint  him  a  member 
of  the  Board  of  Visitors  to  West  Point.  His 
experiences  at  the  Point  are  thus  pleasantly  de- 
scribed in  a  letter  dated  June  3d: 

"The  seat  of  the  U.  S.  Military  Academy  is 
one  of  the  most  picturesque  and  lovely  places 
in  our  broad  land.  God  made  it  so.  Its  natu- 
ral beauties,  its  historic  fame,  and  its  present 
use,  render  it  peculiarly  attractive  and  highly 
interesting. 

"I  was  invited  to  preach  in  the  morning  at 
the  Highland  Falls  Presbyterian  Church,  two 
miles  away — Rev.  (Mr.)  McMin^dy,  pastor. 
The  house  of  worship,  a  beautiful  edifice,  was 
built  by  Rev.  E.  P.  Roe,  once  its  pastor,  as  a 
memorial,  and  by  him  donated  to  the  congre- 
gation. On  the  first  vSunday  in  the  month  any 
cadets  that  wish  may  attend  divine  worship  be- 
yond the  lines  of  the  military  reservation.  Be- 
ing communion  Sabbath  in  this  church,  a  goodly 
number  of  cadets  were  present,  and  eight  of 
their  number  sat  with  us  at  the  Lord's  table, 
commemorating  the  love  of  their  once  cruci- 
fied, but  now  exalted,  Lord.     After  the  service, 


VARIOUS  TRA  VELS  AND  LABORS.  I  7  7 

I  had  the  pleasure  of  greeting  these  young 
men,  and  bidding  them  God  speed  in  their  re- 
ligious lives.  The  cadet  prayer  meeting  on 
Sunday  evening  in  the  Dialectic  Hall,  estab- 
lished by  Bishop  Mcllvaine  when  he  was  Chap- 
lain, over  fifty  years  ago,  is  still  sustained. 
The  present  Chaplain — Rev.  W.  M.  Postle- 
thwaite,  of  the  Reformed  Episcopal  Church — 
invited  me  to  attend  this  meeting,  which  invita- 
tion I  gladly  accepted.  The  hall  was  well  filled, 
and  three  members  of  the  Board  of  Visitors  were 
present.  A  cadet  led  the  meeting  with  great 
freedom  and  interest.  He  read  the  Scriptures 
with  reverence,  and  used  old  hymns  in  praising 
God.  Several  oral  prayers  were  offered,  and, 
by  request.  Professor  Pinkerton,  of  Iowa,  and 
the  writer  made  short  addresses.  At  the  close, 
these  young  men,  dressed  in  their  uniforms, 
gathered  around  us,  greeting  us  cordially  as 
brethren  in  the  Lord. 

"  Considering  the  difficulties  in  the  way,  we 
are  greatly  pleased  with  the  state  of  religion 
among  the  cadets."  4 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

COMPOSITION  OF  THE  '' STORY"— LETTERS 
AND   VISITS. 


WE  are  now  brought,  by  the  course  of  our 
narrative,  to  the  year  1890 — the  period  of 
the  writing  of  the  Autobiography  entitled 
"The  Story  of  my  Life."  It  was  in  Novem- 
ber of  1889,  that  Rev.  Dr.  Chidlaw,  under  very 
solemn  and  tender  circumstances,  was  called 
to  make  an  address  reminiscent  of  Old  War 
Days.  The  occasion  was  the  funeral  (at  Cin- 
cinnati) of  General  Edward  F.  Noyes,  Colonel 
of  the  39th  Ohio,  and  ex-Governor  of  Ohio. 
It  is  recorded  that  in  the  cemetery  "the  old 
Chaplain,"  bearing  his  years  sturdily,  stood  be- 
fore the  folded  banner  that  once  floated  over 
bayonets  with  a  look  that  told  that  his  heart 
was  in  the  casket  before  him,  which  contained 
all  that  was  mortal  of  General  Noyes.  Yet 
with  a  firm  voice  he  began  his  address  by  say- 
ing that  he  first  met  Edward  F.  Noyes  in  July, 
1 86 1,  in  Camp  Dennison.  Among  these  men 
were  the  960    of  the    39th   Ohio.      He   remem- 


COMPOSITION  OF  THE  ''STOPV,"  &^c.  I  7  9 

bered  when  the}^  were  ordered  to  the  front,  how 
he  held  a  service  on  the  field  in  the  open 
area,  and  thought  his  work  with  them  was  done. 
But  the  next  da}'  he  was  called  to  headciuar- 
ters,  where  he  found  Col.  Groesbeck,  Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel Gilbert,  Major  Noyes  and  Dr.  O.  W. 
Nixon.  He  was  told  that  the  regiment  needed 
a  chaplain,  and  was  asked  if  he  would  accept  the 
position.  After  due  and  prayerful  deliberation, 
for  he  was  then  over  fifty  years  old,  he  accepted, 
and  he  was  glad  to  say  that  he  never  had  re- 
gretted it.  He  spoke  of  the  uniform  courtesy 
and  kindness  shown  him  by  the  officers,  and  es- 
pecially by  Major  Noyes,  and  referred  with 
pride  to  the  plan  he  had  suggested  to  add  a  brief 
religious  service  to  the  ceremony  of  dress  pa- 
rade. He  had  observed  that  it  was  received 
with  reverent  respect  by  all  the  men,  and  he 
felt  that  it  was  not  unproductive  of  good.  As 
"  the  old  chaplain"  continued  his  remarks,  en- 
deavoring to  give  consolation  to  the  bereaved 
family  by  speaking  of  the  promises  of  resur- 
rection and  of  a  coming  re-union,  his  eyes  ever 
and  anon  rested  lovingly  on  the  flag-draped 
casket,  as  if  he  would  gladly  call  back  to  life  its 
honored  occupant.      He  attempted  no    eulogy. 


l8o  BEXJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

leaving  that,  as  he  said,  to  the  statesmen  and 
comrades  of  the  bar  and  bench  who  were  famil- 
iar with  the  dead  soldier's  career. 

In  June,  1891,  the  Centennial  Ohio  Sunday- 
school  Convention  was  held  at  Marietta,  an 
interesting  report  of  which  we  append : 

"  The  first  school  in  the  State  having  been  or- 
ganized in  the  United  States  stockade  at  Mari- 
etta in  1 79 1,  the  Ohio  convention  this  year  cele- 
brated that  event  by  turning  the  third  day  of 
its  annual  convocation  into  a  historical  review 
for  the  five  States  of  the  old  Northwest  Terri- 
tory. Foremost  among  the  speakers  for  Ohio 
was  the  veteran  superintendent  and  missionary 
of  the  American  Sunday-school  Union,  Rev.  B. 
W.  Chidlaw,  D.  D. 

"Although  lacking  but  one  month  of  eighty 
full  years,  he  .spoke  with  his  usual  force  and 
fluency,  and  gave  a  very  interesting  statement 
of  the  progress  of  this  department  of  Gospel  ser- 
vice. 

"  The  large  assembly  listened  with  deep  sym- 
pathy and  veneration.  At  the  close  of  Rev.  Dr. 
Chidlaw's  remarks,  Mr.  Timothy  Nicholson,  of 
Richmond,  Ind. ,  said,  'As  a  Hoosier,  I  wish  to 
say  to  this  convention,  let  us  rise  up  in  the  pres- 


COMPOSITION  OF  THE  "STORY;'  Ss'c.  l8r 

ence  of  this  old  man.  Stand  up  and  honor  the 
aged !  '  As  by  one  common  impulse,  at  this  sug- 
gestion, the  entire  assembly  rose  to  its  feet. 
Dr.  Chidlaw  was  deeply  moved,  and  all  felt  it 
to  be  a  touching  tribute  to  a  venerable  servant 
of  Christ,  and  friend  of  the  children." 

That  the  veteran  Chaplain's  love  for  his  coun- 
try never  failed  nor  even  weakened  with  the 
advancing  years,  is  attested  by  his  ardent  re- 
marks on  Memorial  Day,  1891,  at  Athens,  Ohio. 

Although  eighty  years  old,  he  said,  the  blood 
in  his  veins  tingled  with  patriotism  as  vigor- 
ously as  ever,  and  should  the  country  again 
need  his  service  as  it  did  thirty  years  before,  it 
would  be  as  freely  offered. 

A  local  paper  thus  alluded  to  the  enthusiasm 
with  which  he  participated  in  the  Grand  Army 
re-union  at  Detroit,  in  August: 

"Rev.  Dr.  Chidlaw,  in  his  eighty-first  year, 
late  Chaplain  of  the  39th  O.  ^ .  I.,  a  member  of 
Geo.  H.  Thomas  post,  of  the  G.  A.  R. ,  leaves 
on  Monday  for  the  great  National  Encampment 
at  Detroit,  Mich.,  where  he  hopes  to  greet  once 
more  his  comrades,  and  to  enjoy  the  parade  of 
the  brave  heroes  who  won  the  victories  that 
saved  the  Union  and  the  life  of  the  nation." 


l82  BEXJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

"The  Rev.  Dr.  Chidlaw  returned  this  morn- 
ing from  Detroit,  where  he  was  in  attendance 
on  the  National  Encampment,  G.  A.  R.  The 
reverend  gentleman  went  through  the  war  as 
Chaplain  of  the  Thirty-ninth  Ohio,  and,  with 
flag  in  hand,  he  marched  with  his  old  boys 
through  the  entire  route,  bearing  his  eighty 
years  lightly,  for  his  heart  beat  high  with  pride 
and  he  felt  as  young  as  when  he  led  the  hosts 
of  the  Lord  to  fight  in  the  forward  ranks  of  the 
nation's  defenders.  He  says  Ohio  did  herself 
proud  with  her  13,000  men  in  line;  and  not  an 
intoxicated  man  was  seen  in  the  parade.  On 
the  train  coming  home,  a  soldier  from  '  Dayton 
Home  '  was  fighting  over  again  a  furious  battle 
with  his  comrades,  when  the  grim  reaper  sud- 
denlv  joined  the  circle,  and  carried  off  the  aged 
orator  to  his  reward  beyond  the  skies.  Dr. 
Chidlaw  says  the  scene  was  affecting  in  the  ex- 
treme, and  produced  a  profound  sensation." 

His  old  love  for  the  soldiers  and  devotion  to 
their  interests  continued  through  life,  as  will  be 
seen  from  the  following,  dated 

"  Fortress  AIonroe,  Va.,  Sept.  28,  1891. 

"This  celebrated  fortification  is  in  a  locality 
identified  with  historical  affairs  relating  to  col- 


COMPOS!  TIOX  OF  THE  ' '  S  TOR  r, "  dfc.  1 8  3 

onial  times,  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  and  the 
Rebellion  of  1861.  But  Fortress  Monroe  of  to- 
day only  dates  back  to  1831,  when  the  United 
States  Government,  at  an  immense  cost,  built 
these  massive  walls,  parapets  and  casemates, 
offices,  dwelling's,  store-houses  and  barracks  for 
enlisted  men.  The  ground  enclosed  by  these 
strong-  defenses  is  extensive  and  well  improved; 
venerable  live-oaks,  plants  and  flowers  beautify 
the  walks  and  gratify  the  eye.  *  "  *  At 
present  only  six  companies  of  soldiers  '  hold 
the  fort.'  At  dress  parade  they  made  a  fine 
show,  and  elicited  the  admiration  of  a  crowd  of 
spectators.  In  one  line  of  casemates  soldiers 
that  have  families  live.  These  are  chambers  of 
solid  masonry  covered  with  parapets,  an  eleva- 
tion of  earth  designed  for  the  protection  of 
troops  when  assailed  by  enemies.  These  rooms 
are  fairly  well  ventilated  and  lighted,  and  make 
comfortable  homes. 

"  At  the  end  of  the  line  we  found  the  rooms 
occupied  by  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  of  Fortress  Mon- 
roe. Two  casemates  are  used  and  neatly  fur- 
nished; one  is  the  reading-room  and  library, 
well  supplied  with  religious  reading,  papers  and 
books ;  the  other  is  the    chapel,  where  religious 


1 84  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLA IV. 

services  are  held  on  Sunday  and  week  evenings. 
Eighty  enlisted  men  are  now  on  its  rolls,  and 
many  of  them  deeply  interested  in  its  services. 
The  Bible  class  on  Sunday  afternoon  is  well  at- 
tended, and  helpful  in  acquiring  Bible  know- 
ledge. 

"  In  the  hotel  I  saw  a  notice  of  Sunday  preach- 
ing in  the  Post  chapel  by  the  Chaplain.  With 
several  friends,  hearing  the  church  call  from 
the  bugle,  we  made  our  way  to  the  '  Church  of 
the  Centurion,'  a  small  frame  building  with 
Gothic  windows  of  stained  glass.  Facing  the 
c'lancel,  aided  by  the  '  dim,  religious  light, '  my 
eyes  rested  on  a  stained  glass  window  on  which 
was  the  picture  of  what  I  thought,  at  first  sight, 
was  an  aboriginal  of  Virginia,  an  ancestor  of 
Pocahontas;  but,  on  closer  examination,  and 
seeing  a  spear  in  the  right  hand,  and  a  sword  in 
the  left,  I  understood  that  I  was  facing  a  Roman 
captain,  the  devout  centurion.  The  Post  chap- 
lain officiated  strictly  after  the  Episcopal  order. 
The  congregation  heartily  responded.  The  sing- 
ing was  inspiring  and  the  sermon  instructive." 
In  the  spring  of  1892,  Dr.  Chidlaw,  in  com- 
pany with  his  wife,  made  one  of  his  ever  wel- 
come visits  to  the  Western  Female  Seminary  at 


COMPOSinOX  OF  THE  '-STORY,"  &fc.  185 

Oxford,  Ohio,  of  which  the  following  newspaper 
account  has  been  preserved : 

"  Last  week  we  promised  to  give  our  readers 
an  account  of  Dr.  Chidlaw's  visit  to  the  Semin- 
ary. It  was  a  rash  promise,  if  by  it  was  meant 
that  we  could  give  any  real  or  vivid  conception 
of  the  joy  and  inspiration  we  received.  That 
would  be  impossible.  Such  joys  must  be  parti- 
cipated in  to  be  understood,  but  all  who  know 
Dr.  Chidlaw  will  agree  with  us  that  to  have  his 
cheery  presence  in  a  household  could  not  fail  to 
be  a  benediction  to  that  home,  and  Mrs.  Chid- 
law's sweet,  refined  face  besides  his,  and  her 
hearty  interest  in  our  work,  enhanced  the 
pleasure  of  the  three  days'  visit.  Dr.  and  Mrs. 
Chidlaw  came  to  us  on  Thursday  evening. 

"  On  Saturday  evening  a  short,  solemn  and 
most  impressive  service  was  held  preparatory 
to  the  celebration    of  the  Lord's   Supper.      ]Mr. 

Waldo  B. and  Mr.  S.  W.  X ,    elders  in 

the  Oxford  Presbyterian  Church,  were  with  us 
on  Sabbath  morning  for  the  observance  of  this 
memorial  service. 

"  We  cannot  give  a  synopsis  of  Dr.  Chidlaw's 
sermon.  It  was  no  studied  discourse.  In  earn- 
est, tender  words  he  pictured  for  us  that 'Upper 


J 86  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

Room,'  so  clear  in  thought  to  every  one;  he  made 
us  feel  with  renewed  apprehension  the  signifi- 
cance and  solemnity  of  that  last  supper  of  our 
Lord. 

"  When  one  thinks  of  the  more  than  three- 
score years  that  Dr.  Chidlaw  has  loved  and  told 
this  '  old,  old  story,'  and  listens  again  to  him, 
telling  it  with  no  abatement,  but  rather  an  in- 
creasing interest  and  belief  in  its  reality ;  when 
one  remeinbers  how  this  belief  has  sweetened, 
and  ennobled  and  beautified  his  own  and  so 
many  other  lives,  one  cannot  but  exclaim  surely 
in  this  '  way  appear  steps  unto  heaven. ' 

"At  the  close  of  the  solemn  service.  Dr. 
Chidlaw  told  us  of  how  he  came  to  Oxford  many 
years  ago  to  celebrate  the  Lord's  Supper  for  the 
first  time  at  the  vSeminary,  and  met,  at  Hamil- 
ton, ]\Ir.  Preserved  Smith  coming  from  Dayton 
and  bringing  with  him  the  beautiful  silver  com- 
munion service  which  has  been  in  use  once  or 
twice  a  year  ever  since,  Dr  Chidlaw  officiating 
each  time.  Xo  wonder  that  he  looks  upon  us 
as  his  children,  and  that  we  think  of  him  always 
as  our  dear  and  reverend  father  in  Christ.  May 
God  spare  him  long  to  teach  and  bless  us." 

At  the  anniversary  of  the  American    Sunday 


COMPOSITIOX  OF  THE  -'STORY."  ore.  187 

School  Union  which  was  celebrated  in  Washing- 
ton, D.  C,  May  9,  1892,  were  present  three 
noted  men — Hon.  William  Strong,  ex-Justice  of 
the  United  States  Supreme  Court,  Rev.  John 
W.  Scott,  D.D.,  and  Dr.  Chidlaw.  As  was  re- 
marked at  the  time : 

"  It  was  an  unusual  sight  to  witness  the  pres- 
ence and  participation  of  three  such  aged  serv- 
ants of  God  advocating  the  claims  of  the  early 
scriptural  and  religious  education  of  our  youth. 
Judge  Strong  is  eighty-four,  Dr.  Scott  ninetv- 
three,  and  Dr.  Chidlaw  eighty.  Wonderfullv 
preserved  from  the  infirmities  of  age,  the  trio 
enjoy  life  audits  labors.  Steadfast  in  the  faith, 
rejoicing  in  the  promises  and  hopes  of  the 
Gospel,  they  cheerfully  await  the  will  of  God 
concerning  them. 

"In  1833,  Dr.  Scott,  then  Professor  of  Chem- 
istry and  Natural  Science  in  Miami  University, 
Oxford,  O.,  signed  the  diploma  of  Dr.  Chidlaw. 
The  meeting  of  the  venerable  professor  and 
his  student  on  the  platform  at  a  Sunday-school 
anniversary  in  the  city  of  Washington,  after  the 
lapse  of  so  many  years,  was  very  cordial  and  en- 
joyable. To-day  the  officers  and  the  mission- 
aries of  the  American  Sundav-school  Union  had 


l88  B  EX  I  AM  J X  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

a  very  pleasant  interview  with  President  Har- 
rison at  the  Executive  Mansion.  This  Christian 
ruler,  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  sixty-five  millions, 
of  people — -a  'nation  whose  God  is  the  Lord' — 
has  a  warm  heart  for  every  good  word  and  work 
that  honors  God,  and  promotes  the  temporal 
welfare  and  spiritual  interests  of  the  nation." 

In  connection  with  the  33rd  Annual  Con- 
vention of  the  Ohio  S.  S.  Association  held  at 
Lima,  June  7,  1892,  the  newspaper  notice 
chronicles  Dr.  Chidlaw's  last  visit  to  any  S.  S. 
Convention : 

"The  President  in  a  few  expressions  about 
the  venerable  gentleman,  introduced  Rev.  B. 
W.  Chidlaw,  D.D.,  of  Cincinnati.  Briefly  scan- 
ning his  busy  life  of  Sunday-school  work,  he  re- 
called that  sixty-three  years  ago  he  saw  the  first 
Sunday-school  in  Ohio,  organized  in  a  log  cabin, 
and  fifry-thtee  years  ago  God  gave  him  the  bless- 
ed privilege  of  seeing  planted  the  first  mission 
Sunday-schools  in  the  vState,  the  journey  from 
place  to  place  being  done  on  horseback,  and  he 
then  travelled  through  Allen  and  Van  Wert 
counties.  He  felt  the  utmost  joy  in  the  pros- 
pects for  the  present,  and  supreme  confidence, 
in  the  Sunday-school  work  of  the  future. 


COMPOS! TION  OF  THE  '^STORVr  &fc.  I  8 9 

"  He  quoted  the  first  verse  of  the  first  chap- 
ter of  Acts  as  reference,  followed  by  an  eloquent 
prayer.  His  address,  directed  to  the  pastors, 
teachers,  leaders  and  delegates  generally,  was 
most  inspiring.  '  Ye  are  my  witnesses,  saith 
the  Lord.' 

' '  Sunday-school  work  was  appointed  and  ap- 
proved by  God.  The  Bible  had  God  for  its 
author,  salvation  for  its  end,  and  truth  for  its 
matter.      *         *  *      Critics   may    hammer 

away,  but  the  anvil,  the  Bible,  will  remain,  the 
liammer  will  be  shattered." 

This  interesting  incident  was  also  recorded: 

"  At  the  close  of  a  children's  meeting  in  a 
Presbyterian  Church  where  Dr.  Chidlaw  had 
addressed  the  young  people  in  his  usual  '  felicit- 
ous and  instructive  manner,  'Thomas  D.  Watkins. 
an  aged  and  esteemed  citizen  of  Lima,  made 
.some  remarks.  He  said  that  sixty  years  before, 
he  had  lived  in  Athens,  O.,  and  had  attended 
the  Presbyterian  Sunday-school  there,  and  that 
B.  W.  Chidlaw — then  a  student  at  the  Ohio 
University — was  his  teacher.  It  was  through 
his  instructions  and  appeals  that  he  first  became 
interested  in  religion,  and  this  afternoon  he 
again  saw    and  heard   his  teacher    of  so    many 


ipo  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

years  ago.  He  was  glad  to  say  that  to  B.  W. 
Chidlaw  he  owed  much  of  the  instruction  and 
encouragement  that  had  led  him  to  enter  the 
Christian  life  in  the  days  of  his  youth.  The  meet- 
ing of  those  aged  servants  of  Christ  and  his. 
church,  recalling  incidents  of  those  early  Sunday 
school  days  was  affecting,  impressive  and 
mutually  enjoyed." 


June  25,  1892,  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Chidlaw  sailed 
on  the  steamer  ^-J?/;-*^///^?  to  visit  his  childhood 
home. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

/.V   WALES— DEATH— BURIAL  IX  OHIO. 


[To  his  son,  Mr.  John  Chidlaw.] 

Liverpool,  July  4th. 

WE  arrived  safe  10  a.  m.,  Sunday,  the  3d, 
passed  through  the  custom  house,  and 
reached  this  great  hotel  in  a  carriage  at  noon. 
We  are  in  good  health,  and  at  i :  10  p.  m.  we  go 
to  Chester,  twelve  miles ;  will  stay  there  one 
day  sight-seeing.  Wednesday,  July  5th,  we 
shall  reach  Bala,  fifty  miles,  and  stay  there  till 
the  15th.  On  the  14th  I  hope  to  celebrate  my 
eighty- first  birthday,  near  the  spot  where  I  was 
born.  We  had  a  very  pleasant  voyage — while 
the  "City  of  Chicago"  went  on  the  rocks  at 
Old  Kinsale  Head,  on  the  Irish  coast,  and  Soo 
people  had  a  marvelous  escape.  We  saw  the 
steamer  about  a  mile  away,  and  several  tugs 
helping  her,  so  we  did  not  stop. 

I  have  seen  but  two  United  States  flags  up 
this  morning.  I  pulled  off  my  hat  and  silently 
hurrahed  for  my  country  and  my  home. 

I  went  to  the  office    of  the   Cunard  Line  this 


192  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

morning  (beautiful  weather),  and  arranged  for 
our  return,  September  3d.  We  have  room  89, 
one  of  the  best  on  the  ship. 

We  intend  to  take  things  easy  and  enjoy  our- 
selves, making  the  most  of  our  opportunities, 
rest  and  recreation ;  and  I  think  we  shall  suc- 
ceed, God  helping  us. 

Write  to  us  often,  and  tell  us  all  about  har- 
vest.    God  bless  you  all. 

We    shall  be    in   Bala    on   the   14th   of    July, 

which    is    my  eighty-first   birthday,     that    we 

may  devoutfully  and  thankfully  raise  our  ■'  Eb- 

enezer, "  for  hitherto  the  Lord  has  brought  us." 

Your  ever  dear  Father. 

Turning  to  his  diary  we  find  this  short  rec- 
ord :  ' '  After  a  pleasant  voyage  we  reached  Bala 
July  5th.  Left  Chester  for  Bala  2  p  m.  ;  ar- 
rived 4 :  40  p.  M.  This  is  my  native  place — 
born  here  July  14,  181 1.  Hitherto  the  Lord 
has  brought  us.      Praise  the  Lord." 

[Letter  written  while  at  Bala.] 

"During  our  stay,  the  anniversary  of  the  Welsh 
Presbyterian  Church  Theological  Seminar}-  was 
celebrated,  an  occasion  of  great  interest,  at- 
tended by  a  large  audience  from  all  parts  of  the 
Principality.      Principal  Edwards  read  a  report 


/X  U'ALES-DEATH-BURIAL  IN  OHIO.  193 

showing-  the  prosperous  condition  of  the  institu- 
tion and  its  prospects  for  the  future.  An  hour, 
with  appropriate  services,  was  devoted  to  the 
welcome  of  Rev.  Llewellyn  J.  Evans,  D.  D., 
Professor-elect. 

"  The  addresses  delivered,  and  the  enthusiasm 
pervading  the  congTegation,  indicated  the  im- 
plicit confidence,  the  tender  sympathy  and  the 
deep  interest  of  the  Welsh  Presbyterian  Church 
in  our  beloved  and  honored  brother,  late  Profes- 
sor in  Lane  vSeminary. " 

'k  ^  %  H;  1; 

On  Thursday,  July  7th,  1892,  a  very  enthu- 
siastic meeting  was  held  in  the  Welsh  Calvinistic 
Chapel,  Bala,  in  connection  with  the  Theolog- 
ical College.  Several  considerations  helped 
to  make  the  meeting  one  of  special  importance. 
It  was  the  close  of  the  first  year  of  the  Rev.  Dr. 
T.  Charles  Edwards'  Principalship,  and  his  first 
annual  report  was  looked  forward  to  with  keen 
interest.  A  minister  of  world-wide  renown  had 
promised  to  address  the  students — Rev.  Dr. 
McLaren,  of  Manchester.  The  meeting  was 
also  intended  to  be  a  welcome  to  Dr.  Llewellyn 
J.  Evans,  who  had  just  left  Lane  Seminary  to 
fill  the  chair  of  Hebrew  at  Bala  College.      Dr. 


194  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

Evans  was  too  ill  to  attend,  but  it  was  hoped  he 
would  soon  recover,  and  be  able  to  give  the 
students  at  Bala  College  the  ripe  fruit  of  his. 
long  years  of  study.  The  speakers  at  the  meet- 
ing little  knew  as  they  spoke  in  glowing  terms 
of  Dr.  Evans'  scholarship  and  high  attainments, 
and  congratulated  Principal  Edwards  on  having 
secured  such  a  colleague,  how  very  near  the: 
end  was.  A  large  number  of  ministers  had 
come  together,  for  invitations  had  been  freely 
sent,  regardless  of  all  denominational  differ- 
ences, and  many  had  gladly  availed  themselves 
of  Principal  Edwards'  kindness. 

The  chair  was  taken  by  J.  R.  Davis,  Esq.,  of 
Treborth  Hall,  whose  father,  R.  Davis,  Esq., 
Lord  Lieutenant  of  Anglesea,  has  acted  for 
many  years  as  Treasurer  of  the  College,  and 
has  taken  the  deepest  interest  in  its  fortunes. 
The  Principal's  report  having  been  read,  and  the 
prize-list  also  made  known,  the  Chairman  called 
on  Rev.  O.  Jones,  B.  A,,  of  Liverpool,  to  pro- 
pose a  resolution  giving  the  warm  welcome  of 
the  meeting  to  Dr.  Llewellyn  J.  Evans  on  his 
advent  among  them.  The  speaker  had  been  a 
fellow-student  with  him  at  Bala  College  many 
years  before,  and  had  formed  a  verj'  high  opin- 


IN  WALES-DEATH— BURIAL  IX  OHIO.  195 

ion  of  Dr.  Evans'  ability  then,  an  opinion  which 
was  fully  confirmed  by  the  eminence  he  after- 
wards attained  in  the  land  of  his  adoption. 

After  the  resolution  had  been  seconded  by 
Rev.  J,  J.  Poynter,  *  *  *  Principal  Ed- 
wards rose  to  introduce  Rev.  Dr.  Chidlaw  to 
the  meeting-.  In  doing  so,  he  stated  that  Dr. 
Chidlaw  was  a  native  of  Bala,  having  been  born 
there  upwards  of  eighty  years  before.  He 
went  to  America  when  very  young,  and  had 
there  devoted  himself  to  the  work  of  establish- 
ing- Sunday-schools  in  the  settlements.  He  had 
established  hundreds  of  Sunday-schools  in  va- 
rious parts  of  the  United  States.  If  Rev.  Dr. 
Chidlaw  heard  of  a  new  settlement  anywhere  in 
the  far  West,  he  went  there  at  once.  Though 
he  had  been  so  long-  away  from  his  native  v.oun- 
try,  he  had  not  forgotten  his  language.  Dr. 
Chidlaw  knew  Dr.  Evans  well,  and  admired 
him  as  a  Christian  and  as  a  preacher. 

Rev.  Dr.  Chidlaw  then  arose  to  address  the 
meeting.  There  had  been  much  interest  ex- 
cited, and  much  speculation  caused  by  the 
presence  of  his  venerable  figure  on  the  plat- 
form.     He  was  a  stranger  to  all,    or  nearly  all 


196  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHI DLAW. 

present ;  but  those  who  heard  his  brief  address 
will  never  forget  it. 

When  Principal  Edwards  spoke  of  a  man 
who  had  been  born  in  Bala  upwards  of  eighty 
years  before,  all  expected  to  see  some  feeble. 
decrepid  figure  tottering  forward  to  mumble 
out  some  inaudible  remarks.  But  what  was 
the  surprise  of  all  to  see  the  lively,  robust  fig- 
ure, full  of  the  spring  and  elasticity  of  youth, 
which  came  forward  in  response  to  the  Princi- 
pal's invitation !  Rev.  Dr.  Chidlaw  spoke  as 
energetically,  with  as  clear  and  ringing  a  voice 
as  many  a  man  half  a  century  his  junior  would 
have  done. 

If  anything  could  have  increased  the  interest 
with  which  the  audience  listened  to  the  "old 
man  elocjuent,"  it  was  the  fact  that  he  spoke  in 
Welsh,  and  in  such  good  Welsh,  in  his  native 
place. 

He  said  he  was  one  of  the  boys  of  Bala,  born 
there  eighty-one  years  before.  It  was  seventy- 
one  years  since  he  had  left  the  place,  but  he 
felt  very  homely  (a  Welsh  expression  meaning 
at  home)  there;  homely,  though  he  was  4,000 
miles  from  home.  He  had  sacred  memories  of 
the  place,  especially  of   the   Green,    where  the 


/X  IVALES-DEATH-BURIAL  IN  OHIO.  I  97 

great  religious  gatherings  used  to  be  held  in 
his  youth.  He  remembered  Rev.  John  Elias 
of  Anglesea,  and  John  Jones  of  Llanfyllin, 
preaching-  on  the  Green.  It  was  in  Bala  that  he 
had  learned  to  read  his  Bible,  and  he  had  contin- 
ued to  reverence  the  Bible  ever  since.  He 
could  also  testify  that  it  was  by  means  of  his 
Welsh  Bible  that  he  had  kept  his  hold  upon  his 
his  native  tongue,  when  wandering  through 
the  States,  and  often  without  hearing  a  word 
of  Welsh  for  a  very  long  time.  America  was 
a  wonderful  place  in  many  respects,  and  he 
could  testify  that  it  was  a  grand  country  to  live 
one's  religion  in. 

He  had  known  Dr.  Evans  for  a  long-  time, 
they  had  been  members  of  the  same  Presbytery 
for  3'ears.  He  had  known  him  as  student,  pas- 
tor, and  professor,  and  he  had  the  profoundest 
respect  for  him  as  a  scholar,  teacher,  and 
preacher.  Dr.  Evans  had  read  and  studied  his 
Bible  in  the  Greek  and  Latin  languages,  and 
not  only  this,  he  had  not  rested  until  he  had 
become  thoroughly  acquainted  with  the  language 
in  which  the  Old  Testament  was  written. 

Dr.  Chidlaw  concluded  by  expressing  the 
sense  of    loss   felt  in   America   at    the  depart- 


198  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

tire  of  Dr.  Evans,  and  his  own  earnest  desire 
and  prayers,  for  his  success  in  his  new  field  of 
labor. 

Dr.  Chidlaw's  brief,  but  fervent  address  was 
listened  to  with  rapt  attention  by  all.  He  im- 
pressed everyone  as  being  wonderfully  hale  and 
buoyant,  and  like  a  man  with  many  years  of 
life  before  him.  This  caused  the  painful  shock 
to  be  all  the  greater,  when  in  a  few  da5^s,  the 
sad  news  came  so  unexpectedly  that  he  had  been 
called  to  his  rest. 

Dr.  Chidlaw  with  his  wife  left  Bala,  July  8th, 
and  went  to  Dolgelley  to  spend  a  few  days  with 
Mrs.  Jane  Chidlaw  Roberts,  intending  to  return 
to  the  former  place  on  the  14th,  in  order  to  cele- 
brate the  8ist  anniversary  of  his  birth  in  his  na- 
tive town. 

On  July  loth  he  preached  in  the  English 
Presbyterian  Chapel  at  10  a.  m.,  and  at  2:30  p. 
M. ,  addressed  the  Sunday-school  at  the  English 
Congregational  Church,  and  at  3:30  p.  m.  ,  he 
spoke  before  the  Welsh  Presbyterian  Sunday- 
school,  At  6  p.  M.,  he  addressed,  in  Welsh, 
the  congregation  of  the  Welsh  Presbyterian 
Chapel  on  "Missions." 

July  nth,  12th,  and  13th  he  spent  in  visiting 


IN  WALES—DEATH-BURIAL  IN  OHIO.  199 

friends  and  places  of  interest  in  Dolg-elly.  But 
in  renewing' the  intimacies  and  remembrances  of 
former  days,  he  was  not  forgetful  of  his  friends 
on  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic.  The  last  let- 
ter from  his  pen  was  written  at  this  time,  when, 
all  unconsciously  to  himself,  the  sunset  shadows 
were  beg'inning'  to  darken  the  aged  pilgrim's 
path.  Its  hopeful  tone  makes  it  doubly  pathetic 
now. 

DOLGELLEY,    WaLES,   July   12,    1892. 

Dear  Brother  P : 

In  ordinary  health  and  comfort,  we  have  en- 
joyed the  genial  and  satisfactory  hospitality  of 
Mrs.  Jane  C.  Roberts,  the  widow  of  my  cousin, 
John  Chidlaw  Roberts,  since  the  8th  inst.,  when 
we  came  from  a  sojourn  of  three  days  at  the 
White  Lion  Hotel  in  Bala,  where  we  met  Prof. 
Evans  and  his  wife,  beginning  house-keeping  in 
a  very  nice  house.  His  health  is  improving; 
and  we  hope  it  will  be  fully  restored.  I  was 
called  to  address  a  large  audience  convened  to 
welcome  Prof.  Evans.  The  applause,  by  hand- 
clapping,  cries  of  "  Hear!  Hear!  "  indicated  the 
feelings  of  my  listeners,  and  how  the  Professor 
was  received. 


2  00  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

"  We  have  a  delightful  home,  and  every  atten- 
tion and  kindness.  In  a  day  or  two  we  shall  go  to 
Barmouth,  13  miles  by  railroad,  and  look  out  for 
a  good  place  where  we  can  enjoy  rest  and  com- 
fort on  the  sea-coast,  and  feel  the  inspiration  of 
ocean  breeze  and  mountain  air.  When  we  lo- 
cate at  Barmouth  we  will  inform  you.  If  sat- 
isfied we  will  rest  there,  till  the  last  of  August, 
and  be  in  good  trim  for  the  third  of  September, 
when  we  shall  (D.  V. )  embark  on  the  ' '  Aurania  " 
for  home.  At  Barmouth  we  intend  to  take  the 
world  easy,  and  have  the  most  comfort  and  rest 
possible."  B.  W.  Chidlaw. 

But  that  was  not  to  be!  The  comfort  and 
rest  he  was  to  find  were  of  a  more  lasting  nature 
than  any  earth  could  afford.  Already  the  com- 
mand to  '  come  up  higher '  had  been  given  to 
the  worthy  soldier.  He  had  no  idea,  however, 
that  the  end  was  so  close  at  hand,  though  in  his 
diary  on  July  13th,  there  is  this  little  note  con- 
cerning his  health :  "I  did  not  feel  well — short- 
ness of  breathing  and  weakness  in  my  knees. 
At  noon  I  felt  better  and  more  comfortable." 
There  is  a  record  in  his  journal  of  an  earlier 
date  (April  20.  1890,)  which  is  strongly  indica- 


IX  WALES-DEATH-BURIAL  IN  OHIO.  201 

tive  of  the  earnestness  of  the  man.  It  runs  as 
follows:  "I  hope  God  will  keep  nie  at  work, 
bless  me  in  it,  and  then  take  me  home."  The 
prayer  was  answered  on  the  morning  of  July 
J4,  1892. 

After  morning-  worship  he  complained  of 
slight  pain  and  retired  to  his  room,  and  in  a  few 
minutes  he  had  passed  from  the  Land  of  the 
Dying  into  the  World  of  the  Living,  Telegrams 
announcing  the  death  of  Dr.  Chidlaw  were  sent 
to  the  United  vStates.  The  following  letter 
from  Mrs.  Roberts  to  Mrs.  Peck  gives  in  detail 
the  story  of  his  last  hours. 
"Bryntirion,  Dolgelley,  Wales,  July  14,  1892. 

' '  I  am  sure  that  you  were  all  very  much  shock- 
ed at  the  sad  news  which  was  wired  to  you  this 
morning,  of  the  sudden  death  of  Dr.  Chidlaw. 
He  seemed  in  his  usual  health  and  spirits  when 
he  came  down  to  breakfast,  and  made  a  hearty 
meal.  After  that  we  had  morning  prayers.  Dr. 
■Chidlaw  read  and  prayed  in  a  manner  I  thought 
I  never  heard  him  use  before,  ro  earnest  and 
beautiful.  In  a  short  time  the  postman  brought 
the  Ciiiciiuiati  Gazette.  He  took  it  up  stairs  to 
read  the  news  to  his  wdfe,  then  he  prepared  to 
^•o  down  again.      Suddenly  a  great  difQculty  of 


202  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHI DLAW. 

breathing  came  on  (which  he  had  slightly  ex- 
perienced on  the  previous  day).  He  lay  down 
but  had  to  get  up  again,  feeling  suffocated.  Mrs. 
Chidlaw  was  very  much  alarmed  at  this  and 
called  me.  I  found  him  sitting  down  looking 
deathly  pale  and  gasping  for  breath.  We  man- 
aged to  get  him  to  lie  down,  and  in  about  ten 
minutes  from  the  time  he  was  taken  he  was 
gone.  Dr.  Chidlaw  has  gone  to  rest  from  all 
his  labors.  For  him  it  was  '  sudden  death,  sud- 
den glory.' " 

All  that  was  mortal  of  Dr.  Chidlaw  was  borne 
with  loving  care  westward  across  the  Atlantic^ 
and  eventually  to  Cleves,  Ohio,  his  loved  home 
for  so  many  years. 

The  funeral  services  at  Cleves  were  most  sol- 
emn and  im^pressive — crowds  testifying  by  their 
presence  and  reverent  demeanor  of  their  regard 
for  the  departed. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 
MEMORIAL   TRIB UTES. 


FUNERAL  OF  DR.  CHIDLAW. 

THE  remains  reached  the  family  home,  a  mile 
west  of  Cleves,  on  Wednesday,  August  3, 
1S92,  and  the  funeral  services  were  held  on  the 
Friday  foUowini^',  at  2:30  f.  m.,  in  a  grove  near 
the  house  and  church  of  Berea.  Seats  were  pre- 
pared for  a  thousand  persons  and  many  were 
obliged  to  stand.  Over  two  hundred  came  from 
the  city,  and  about  a  thousand  from  other  places. 
The  services  were  conducted  by  Dr.  J.  G.  ]\lon- 
fort,  and  a  dozen  others  took  part.  Fourteen  min- 
isters were  present,  and  many  prominent  lay- 
men, long  friends  and  intimates  of  the  deceased 
His  favorite  hymns  were  simg:  "Jesus,  lover 
of  my  Soul,"  "Rock  of  Ages,  cleft  for  me," 
and  ' '  Guide  me,  O  thou  great  Jehovah. "  Prayer 
was  offered  by  Rev.  Dr.  J.  J.  Francis. 

Rev.  Dr.  James,  of  Springdale,  referred  to 
Dr.  Chidlaw's  work  for  the  children,  the  hospit- 
als, the  prisons  and  the  army. 

A.  E.  Chamberlain,  who  was  associated  with 


2  04  BEXJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

him  in  the  management  of  the  Cincinnati  sec- 
tion of  the  Christian  Commission  during  the 
war,  referred  to  him  as  the  most  efficient  and 
useful  worker  in  the  war.  , 

Rev.  Dr.  Thompson,  president  of  Miami  Uni- 
versity, of  which  he  was  a  trustee,  paid  a  glow- 
ing eulog}'  to  his  faithfulness,  zeal  and  useful- 
ness. 

Dr.  Jones  and  Rev.  Mr.  Griffiths,  pastors  of 
the  two  "Welsh  churches  of  Cincinnati,  spoke 
with  great  affection  and  reverence  for  him  as  a 
man  and  a  minister,  and  with  gratitude  for  his 
frequent  labors,  for  fifty  years,  in  these  churches 
and  their  Sabbath-schools. 

Dr.  iSIonfort  made  the  last  address.  His  ac- 
quaintance with  Dr.  Chidlaw  began  in  college 
sixty  3'ears  before,  and  has  been  very  intimate 
ever  since.  He  indorsed  all  that  had  been  said. 
He  knew  no  minister  more  widely  known  or 
more  highly  appreciated,  no  man  who  had 
spoken  to  more  people  in  this  land  or  abroad. 
He  never  knew  a  man  so  determined  and 
persistent  in  his  work  all  the  time.  He  was  a 
lay  preacher  from  his  youth  until  his  licensure, 
and  few  men  have  written  more  in  the  religious 
and  secular  press  to  promote  the  work  in  which 


MEMORIAL  TRIBUTES.  205 

he  labored.  His  death  was  appointed,  and  it 
was  right.  The  Intereessor  prayed  to  have  him 
with  him.  His  life  was  Christ,  but  his  death  is 
gain.  He  is  made  perfect  in  holiness ;  the  com- 
panion of  the  spirits  of  the  just  made  perfect, 
and  the  innumerable  company  of  angels  in  the 
presence  of  Jesus,  to  go  out  no  more. 

The  following  extract  is  taken  from  the  Cin- 
cDinati  Times-Star  : 

"  Last  Decoration  Day  was  a  day  of  rejoicing 
for  the  family  and  friends  of  the  Rev.  B. 
W.  Chidlaw,  and  under  the  grand  oaks  on  the 
lawn  of  his  beautiful  country  home  at  Cleves, 
there  was  a  table  spread.  The  occasion  was  a 
gathering  to  bid  farewell  to  the  good  old 
grandsire,  who  was  preparing  to  cross  the  seas 
to  revisit  the  scenes  of  his  early  youth  'in  Wales. 
He  was  the  very  life  and  centre  of  all  the  merri- 
ment, for  he  bore  his  eighty  3'ears  lightly.  The 
fond  farewells  were  spoken,  with  wishes  for  a 
happy  voyage  and  safe  return. 

"Yesterday,  under  the  same  trees,  on  the 
same  lawn,  the  same  family  gathered  about  the 
same  venerable  grandsire.  He  had  had  a 
pleasant  voyage  to  the  land  of  his  youth.  He 
had    retrodden  the   hills  his    childish  feet    had 


2o6  BEXJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHI DLAIV. 

loved  to  wander  over,  and  his  hoary  head  had 
bathed  in  the  sparkling  waters  of  the  crystal 
lake,  where  the  sunny-haired  boy  had  disported 
generations  ago.  He  had  returned  to  the  bosom 
of  his  family,  gathered  again  to  bid  him  an- 
other farewell;  and  the  boards  on  which  the 
feast  of  that  other  farewell  was  spread,  now  up- 
held his  coffin.  A  more  fitting  and  beautiful 
spot  could  not  have  been  chosen  to  witness  the 
last  rites  of  affection.  A  concourse,  the  most 
vast  of  any  ever  gathered  in  that  neighborhood, 
was  there  to  pay  the  last  token  of  esteem  to  the 
dead.  Everybody  knew  him,  and  from  miles 
around  the  people  gathered  from  early  in  the 
day  till  the  last  hour.  The  afternoon  express 
on  the  Big  Four  road  carried  out  a  large  party, 
and  the  officials  of  the  road,  in  fond  remem- 
brance of  their  old  friend,  stopped  the  train  near 
his  suburban  residence.  Prominent  among 
them  were  the  comrades  of  the  Thirty-ninth  O. 
A'.  I. ,  the  i^egiment  of  which  the  dead  preacher 
was  chaplain  during  the  war.  These  gra}*  sol- 
diers wore  no  uniform  but  a  simple  black  badge 
inscribed  in  silver  letters:  "  Thirty-ninth  O.  V. 
I."     Delegates  from  George  H.  Thomas    Post, 


MEMORIAL   TRIBUTES.  207 

No.  13,  G.  A.  R.,  also  from  the  Jones  Post,  and 
other  prominent  mourners,  were  present. 

"There  was  present  a  large  number  of 
preachers  who  had  known  the  venerable  de- 
ceased for  decades.  At  the  appointed  hour  a 
thousand  persons  had  gathered  under  the  oaks, 
where  seats  were  arranged  about  the  central 
tables.  Iminediately  in  front  was  the  preach- 
er's platform,  to  the  right  of  this  platform  were 
seats  for  the  family,  and  to  the  left  an  organ 
and  choir.  At  2.20  the  corpse  was  carried  from 
the  house  by  the  grandsons  of  the  divine.  The 
honorary  pall-bearers  were  from  the  Thomas 
Post  and  Thirty-ninth  regiment. 

"The  exercises  were  in  charge  of  Rev.  D.  J. 
G.  Alonfort,  the  \'enerable  editor  of  the  Herald 
and  Presbyter^  who  was  a  class-mate  with  Rev. 
j\Ir.  Chidlaw  at  ]\liami  University  in  1833-4, 
and  who  was  ordained  at  the  same  time  with 
him  by  the  same  Presbytery.  Dr.  Monfort  is 
eighty-two  years  of  age  and  still  vigorous,  but 
at  times  his  sturdy  form  trembled  with  emotion, 
and  he  could  scarcely  proceed  with  the  services. 

"Rev.  J.  J.  Francis  made  the  opening  prayer, 
and  after  a  hymn  sung  by  the  choir.  Rev.  W.  E. 
Carson,  of  Harrison,  a  life-long  friend  of  the  de- 


2o8  BEXJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

ceased,  advanced  and  delivered  the  eulogy.  It 
was  an  eloquent  effort,  and  had  this  peculiar 
quality  that  is  lacking  from  most  funeral  ora- 
tions— it  was  the  truth.  Every  statement  found 
ready  corroboration  by  all  who  heard  it,  and 
none  denied  to  the  dead  the  many  grand  quali- 
ties of  heart  and  mind  recounted  by  the  im- 
passioned speaker.  The  orator  was  followed  by 
other  speakers  in  short  addresses. 

"  Among  those  who  thus  made  reminiscent 
remarks,  were  Dr.  Thompson,  President  of  Mi- 
ami University,  of  which  Rev.  Dr.  Chidlaw 
was  for  years  a  Director,  and  Rev.  Drs.  Griffith 
and  Jones  of  the  Welsh  churches.  After  the 
regular  services  the  body  was  committed  to  the 
care  of  the  Thirty-ninth  Regiment  and  the 
Thomas  Post.  The  comrades  gathered  about 
the  casket,  and  Frank  Bruner,  on  behalf  of  the 
Thirty-ninth  Regiment,  made  a  feeling  and  elo- 
quent address  that  awakened  intense  interest 
among  the  hearers.  Then  followed  the  im- 
pressive ritual  of  the  G.  A.  R. ,  led  by  Major 
Gane.  The  wreaths  of  ferns,  roses  and  myrtle 
were  laid  upon  the  casket,  and  then  all  followed 
to  the  Berean  Cemetery,  where  the  body  was 
laid  and  cemented  in    the    solid  rock.     A  pecu- 


MEMORIAL  TRIBUTES.  209 

liar  fact  is,  that  Rev.  Dr  Chidlaw  owned  this 
fine  farm,  and  had  built  and  maintained  at  his 
own  expense  a  church  and  a  graveyard  for 
years,  and  he  now  rests  in  the  ground  he  him- 
self consecrated  to  the  dead." 
[Letter    from    Mr.    John    I,    Covington,    dated 

Liverpool,  July  i6,  published  in   the    Herald 

and  Presbyter.  ] 

"  I  can  hardly  tell  you  what  emotion  con- 
trolled me  when  I  first  read  the  notice  of  Rev. 
Dr.  B.  W.  Chidlaw's  death — whether  it  was 
gratitude  for  the  many  long  years  that  had 
been  granted  him  to  bear  the  glad  tidings  that 
he  did  to  those  who  needed  them  most,  or  sor- 
row that,  while  in  the  zenith  of  his  usefulness, 
he  should  thus  suddenly  be  called  away. 

"  Rev.  Dr.  Chidlaw,  for  at  least  thirty  years, 
had  been  to  me  an  inspiration  for  Christian  zeal 
and  work.  I  recall  that  my  father,  who  ad- 
mired him  as  I  learned  to  admire  him,  told  me 
of  his  early  life  and  privations,  and  of  his  faith- 
ful work,  and  gave  to  him  the  sincere  tribute 
f^i  his  admiration  for  his  Christian  virtues  and 
personal  manliness. 

"Twenty-five  years  ago  I  heard  Rev.  Dr. 
Chidlaw    preach    in    Dr.     J.    P.    E.     Kumler's 


2IO  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

church  at  Oxford.  His  theme  was  '  The  Re- 
form Farm  Work.'  His  earnest  manner,  the 
clearness  of  his  exposition  of  the  work,  the  mu- 
sical persuasiveness  of  his  voice,  made  an  im- 
pression upon  me  that  memory  recalls  at  will. 

"  Since  then  I  have  heard  him  countless 
times,  and  I  have  always  felt,  when  he  began 
speaking,  that  the  bugle  call  for  a  more  earnest 
Christian  attack  was  sounding,  and  that  the 
enemy  was  immediately  in  front. 

"  He  never  seemed  to  grow  old.  He  was  in 
the  midst  of  the  fra}^  ever  ready  to  welcome 
any  help  that  came,  but  determined,  if  need 
be,  alone  and  single  handed,  to  fight  to  the  end. 

"  I  saw  him  last  at  the  Miami  University 
Commencement,  June  i6,  at  which  time  we 
compared  notes  as  to  our  then  contemplated 
trips  abroad.  He  sailed  shortly  before  I  did, 
but  we  hoped  to  meet  on  this  side  of  the  Atlan- 
tic, in  his  beloved  Wales. 

"  Those  who  have  heard  him  speak  with  in- 
finite tenderness  and  love  of  his  native  land, 
and  have  heard  him,  as  one  recalling  the  poems 
of  childhood,  repeat  verse  after  verse  of  the 
Bible  m  the  liquid  tongue  of  his  own  people, 
will  feel   that    the    faithful    missionary    has  re- 


MEMORIAL   TRIBUTES.  21  I 

ceived  the  consummation  of  his  dearest  hope, 
in  sleeping'  his  last  sleep  in  the  land  of  his  fa- 
thers. Truly,  a  strong  man  restethi" 
[From  a  published  letter  from  Miss  Leila  S,  Mc- 
Kee,  Principal  of  the  Western  Female  vSemi- 
nary,  who  was  spending  her  vacation  travel- 
ing in  Wales  at  the  time.] 
"  Rev.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Chidlaw  then  proceeded 
to  Bala,  Wales,  to  be  present  at  the  Commence- 
ment of  the  Bala  Theological  College,  and  to 
visit  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Evans.  ( )n  Commencement 
day  he  was  invited  to  speak,  seconding  the  res- 
olutions of  welcome  to  Dr.  Evans  as  a  member 
of  the  College  Faculty.  This  he  did  in  his 
characteristic  fashion,  rousing  the  audience  to 
great  enthusiasm  by  his  stirring  words.  ■»  •»  * 
Rev.  Dr.  Chidlaw  spoke  throughout  in  WeLsh, 
with  perfect  ease  and  pure  idiom,  a  remarkable 
fact  when  we  remember  that  he  left  Wales 
when  only  ten  years  of  age,  and  had  lived  in 
America  seventy-one  years.  He  attributed 
his  ability  to  do  this  to  the  fact  that  his  Welsh 
Bible  had  been  his  constant  companion  during 
his  entire  life  in  America. 

' '  From  Bala,  Rev.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Chidlaw  went 
to    Dolgellv  to    visit  relatives.      Dr.    Chid  law's 


2  12  BENJAMLX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLA  W. 

health  was  perfect.  He  enjoyed  meeting  old 
friends  and  new,  again  seeing  his  relatives,  and 
above  all,  preaching  or  speaking,  as  opportunity 
offered,  a  word  on  the  theme  of  his  life — the 
Gospel  of  the  living  Christ. 

"  On  the  Sabbath  preceding  his  death,  he  at- 
tended three  services.  In  the  morning  he 
preached  a  sermon  to  young  people,  from  the 
text,  John  xii.  26:  '  If  any  man  serve  me,  let 
him  follow  me;  and  where  I  am,  there  shall 
also  my  servant  be;  if  any  man  serve  me,  him 
will  my  Father  honor. '  In  the  evening,  by 
special  recpiest.  he  again  make  a  short  address 
in  connection  with  the  usual  missionary  meet- 
ing. In  response  to  the  minister's  request  for 
a  'few  words,'  he  answered  that  he  was  very 
tired,  but  if  the  congregation  would  sing  for 
him  a  certain  hymn  which  he  mentioned,  it 
would  inspire  him  to  speak  as  they  desired. 
Much  surprise  was  expressed  at  the  hymn  he 
selected,  for  it  was  one  seldom  sung  except  on 
funeral  occasions.  The  words  were  Welsh,  but 
a  friend  gave  me  a  free  translation,  as  follows: 

'  In  the  waves  and  mighty  waters 
No  one  will  support  my  head, 
But  my  Saviour,  my  Beloved, 
Who  was  stricken  in  my  stead: 


MEMORIAL   TRIBUTES.  213 

In  the  cold  and  mortal  river 

He  will  hold  my  head  above; 
I  shall  through  the  waves  go  singing 

For  one  look  of  Him  I  love  I ' 

They  sang  this  a  second  and  third  time — at  Dr. 
Chidlaw's  suggestion — with  much  earnestness, 
and  then  he  spoke,  as  only  Dr.  Cliidlaw  could 
speak,  simply,  earnestly,  eloquently,  and  ap- 
pealed to  all,  and  especially  to  the  youth  in  his 
audience,  to  consecrate  their  lives  to  the  living- 
Christ,  and  to  be  willing  in  answer  to  any  com- 
mand to  say,    '  Here  am  I,  send  me.' 

"  He  spoke  of  the  work  in  America,  for  Home 
and  Foreign  Missions ;  of  the  hundreds  of  young 
men  and  women  in  the  schools  who  were  vol- 
unteering their  services  for  this  work,  and  men- 
tioned especially  our  school  for  young  women  in 
Ohio  (the  Western  Seminary  at  Oxford,  which 
had  been  honored  by  sending  out  many  repre- 
sentatives to  fields  in  every  part  of  the  world. 
Those  who  were  present  said  he  .spoke  as  though 
inspired. 

"During  the  week  that  followed,  his  mind 
was  full  of  thoughts  of  his  approaching  birth- 
day (Thursday,  July  14th),  and  he  frequentlv 
expressed  his  great  desire  to  spend  it  in  his 
native  place,  Bala,  with  his  life- time  friend.  Dr. 


214  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAIV. 

Evans.  On  Thursday  morning,  while  speaking 
to  his  wife  of  this  desire,  with  his  friend's  name 
upon  his  lips,  suddenly  and  almost  without  pain 
he  expired. 

"The  physician  who  was  hastih'  summoned, 
said  that  there  was  no  organic  trouble,  but  that 
the  heart,  weakened  by  old  age  and  a  long  life 
of  unusual  activity,  suddenly  failed  and  death 
ensued. 

"The  news  spread  rapidly  through  the  town 
and  was  telegraphed  to  friends  and  relatives  at 
a  distance,  bringing  to  everyone  surprise  and 
grief;  for  every  one  seemed  to  know  and  esteem 
Dr.  Chidlaw,  though  he  had  been  so  little  in 
Wales. 

"Great  sympathy  w.'is  felt  for  ^Irs.  Chidlaw, 
so  suddenly  bereaved,  and  nothing  which  could 
possibly  be  done  was  left  undone  to  help  or  to 
comfort  her.  She  was  weakened  from  the  ef- 
fects of  sickness  on  her  voyage  over,  and  ill- 
fitted  to  endure  the  ordeal,  but  she  has  been 
wonderfully  sustained  by  the  One  who  alone  can 

comfort  in  such  hours  of  darkness. 

*  *  *  *  *• 

"The  sacred  remains  were  sent  to  America 
by  the  steamship   Servia,   sailing  from   Liver- 


MEMORIAL   TRIBUTES.  215 

pool,  vSaturday,  July  23rd.  *  *  *  *  Por 
his  family  and  friends  in  America  it  has  been 
doubly  hard  for  him  to  die  so  far  away.  But  it 
is  a  comfort  tokno^v  that  he  was  not  in  a  strange 
land,  but  in  the  country  of  his  birth — beautiful 
Wales,  which  he  loved  always.  Nor  was  he 
among  strangers,  but  in  the  house  of  a  dear  rel- 
ative, a  home  rightly  named  '  Bryntirion,'  Mt. 
Pleasant.  From  thence  he  was  called  '  to  see 
the  King  in  His  beauty,  in  a  land  of  purer  light.' 
Ours  is  the  loss;  Lis,  the  infinite  gain. 

"As  I  sat  in  the  little  Welsh  chapel,  that 
quiet  vSabbath  morning,  only  a  stone's  throw 
from  the  spot  where  he  was  born  just  eighty- 
one  years  before,  and  heard  the  fervent  prayers, 
the  solemn  hymns  and  the  reading  of  the  Scrip- 
tures he  loved  in  the  native  Welsh  tongue,  I 
could  but  think  of  the  '  new  song  '  he  now  sings, 
as  he  stands  in  the  very  presence  of  the  King. 

"Thank  God  for  such  lives  as  Dr.  Chidlaw's! 
We  shall  miss  him  sorely,  and  the  loss  seems  ir- 
reparable. During  my  past  four  year's  service 
at  Oxford,  he  hasbeen  a  constant  and  welcome 
visitor,  always  bringing  us  helpful,  sunshiny 
words  of  counsel  from  his  rich  store-house  of 
experience. 


2  1 6  BEXIAMiy  WILLIAMS  CHIDLA  W. 

"  During-  his  last  visit  he  conducted  our  com- 
munion service.  Those  who  were  present  can 
never  forget  his  talk  and  his  prayers.  We  felt 
as  though  we  had  been  upon  a  high  mount  of 
privilege,  and  the  experiences  of  that  hour  will 
never  fade  from  our  minds,  nor  lose  their  hold 
upon  our  hearts,  All  the  communion  services 
we  have  ever  had  at  the  Seminary  have  been 
conducted  by  Dr.  Chidlaw,  and  thus  he  is  linked 
with  our  Seminary  life  in  an  unusual  sacred- 
ness.  Following  closely  upon  the  death  of  Dr. 
Chidlaw  is  that  of  Dr.  Evans  in  Bala. 

*  *  *  *  4t 

' '  Of  both  these  friends,  veteran  warriors  in 
the  cause  of  Christ,  can  the  words  of  David's  la- 
ment over  Abner  be  used :  '  Know  ye  not  that 
there  is  a  prince  and  a  great  man  fallen  this  day 

in   Israel. '  " 

***** 

The  following  is  Rev.  X.  vS.  Dickey's  article 
in  the  Herald  and  Presbyter^  of  Oct.  13.  1893: 

"  My  first  acquaintance  with  Dr.  Chidlaw  was 
in  1848,  v.-hen  I  was  a  student  at  Lane  Seminary. 
Drs.  Lyman  Beecher,  C.  E.  Stowe  and  D.  Howe 
Allen  were  the  professors.  They  preached  in 
turn  every    Sabbath  morning.      The  Seminary 


MEMORIAL   TRIBUTES.  217 

church  and  students,  and  these  Sabbath  dis- 
courses were  very  highly  prized.  Dr.  Allen, 
especially,  was  a  favorite  of  many  of  the  students. 
One  Sabbath  morning-,  when  it  was  his  hour  to 
fill  the  pulpit,  Dr.  Chidlaw  was  in  his  place. 
Disappointment  was  manifest  on  the  faces 
of  many  of  the  students  as  he  walked  up  the  aisle 
and  ascended  the  pulpit.  '  It's  an  outrage  to 
put  up  every  man  that  comes  along  to  preach. ' 
*  We  are  here  to  hear  the  professors,  not  these 
itinerants. '  '  Are  we  to  have  another  bore  ?  ' 
were  some  of  the  expressions  of  dissatisfaction 
which  fell  from  the  lips  of  students,  as  they  sat 
together  in  the  pews. 

"Dr.  Chidlaw  preached  a  bright,  pointed, 
eloquent  Gospel  sermon  that  moved  and  captiv- 
ated all.  '  If  all  who  come  along  were  like  him, 
let  them  preach.'  'That  was  rich.'  'Good, 
good, '  said  the  fault-finders  of  the  beginning,  at 
the  close  of  the  service. 

"  I  remember  another  manifestation  of  his 
ability  to  control  and  interest  men.  It  was  at  a 
•camp-meeting  a  few  miles  northwest  of  Madison, 
Ind.,  in  the  summer  of  1849,  conducted  by  Rev. 
Mr.  Vance,  the  earnest  pastor  of  the  Monroe 
church. 

N 


2l8  BEXJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

' '  On  the    Sabbath    multitudes    congregated^ 
and    continued   arrivals   somewhat   interrupted 
the  services  of  the  morning.     After  dinner    the 
congregation  was    called  to    listen  to    sermons, 
first  by   Rev.   Josiah    Wood,  of  111.,    to  be    fol- 
lowed b}^  Dr.    Chidlaw.     A  few    hundred  only,, 
seated  near  the    stand,  heard  Mr.  Wood's   good 
discourse.      The    masses    of    the   people    were 
standing  around  in  groups,  talking  and  laughing 
and  running  about,  heeding  neither  the  earnest, 
repeated  invitations  of  Mr.  Vance   to  come  and 
hear,  nor  the  tones  of  the  speaker,  laboring  hard 
to  interest  and  benefit.   When  the  sermon  closed,. 
a  short  hymn   was  sung,  and    Dr.  Chidlaw  rose 
to  speak.      Such  confusion  as   reigned  over  that 
ground,  I    had   never   seen    at    a    Presbyterian, 
camp-meeting,  though  I  had  attended    many  in 
early  youth.      The  masses  evidently  had    come 
for  a  good  social  time,  and  not  to  hear   preach- 
ing.     '  What  is  the   use  of  trying   to  preach    to. 
such  a  crowd  ?    They  don't  want  to  hear. '    The 
old  Presbyterian  preachers  who  used  to  believe 
in  and  hold  camp-meetings  were  right  in  saying,. 
'  They  had  outlived  their  usefulness,  and   had 
better  be  given  up,'  were  some  of  the    thoughts 
that  ran  through  my   mind  as  I    sat  looking  on. 


MEMORIAL   TRIBUTES.  21  g 

"  In  his  stentorian  voice,  after  standing-  and 
viewing-  the  confusion  for  a  minute,  he  called 
out  so  that  he  was  heard  above  the  noises  and 
chatter :  '  I  have  something  to  say  to  each  of 
you.  Tell  that  group  of  yoimg  men  to  listen  ; 
ask  those  walking  about  to  stop  a  minute.  I 
want  them  to  hear. '  In  a  very  short  time  all 
were  giving  attention,  when  he  said :  '  I  grew 
up  in  the  woods,  and  helped  my  widowed  mo- 
ther to  clear  a  farm,  and  have  raised  many  a 
crop  of  corn.  I  always  noticed — haven't  you? — 
that  the  outside  rows  never  'amounted  to  much. 
The  shade,  if  near  the  timber,  prevents  vigor- 
ous growth,  and  the  stalks  and  ears,  if  they  have 
any,  are  small,  and  these  are  devoured  by  rac- 
coons and  opossums.  This  is  true  of  morals  and 
religion.  Those  who  stand  on  the  outside,  or 
in  the  outer  rows,  don't  get  much  good,  and 
never  amount  to  much.  Now,  I  am  going  to 
preach  you  a  Gospel  sermon,  and  I  want  you  to 
get  profit  from  it.  Won't  you  come  as  near  as 
you  can,  and  don't  stand  on  the  outside  row  if 
you  can  help  it. '  This,  in  purport,  was  spoken 
with  such  good  humor  and  earnest  sympathy 
that  it  acted  like  a  charm.  There  was  such  a 
rush  for  the  seats,  and  when  these  were  all  filled, 


2  20  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

the  people  pressed  up  as  close  as  they  could  get 
to  the  stand,  the  young  men  laughingly  trying 
to  crowd  in  and  not  be  in  the  outside  row. 

"When  all  had  become  comparatively  still, 
Dr.  Chidlaw  preached,  with  the  Holy  Spirit's 
presence  and  power,  a  sermon  which  kept  that 
vast  audience  still  to  its  close,  and  was  blessed 
to  the  edification,  and,  it  is  believed,  to  the  sal- 
vation of  many." 

[From  the  "  Herald  and  Presbyter."] 

MEMORIES  OF  THE  LATE  DR.    B.    W.    CHIDLAW. 

"  A  small  party  of  friends  were  spending  an 
evening  together  recently,  and  I  was  an  inter- 
ested listener  when  the  conversation  turned  on 
Dr.  Chidlaw.  He  was  my  father's  chaplain 
during  the  war,  a  lifelong  friend  of  my  grand- 
parents, who  were  from  Wales,  and  one  of  the 
ladies  present  had  entertained  him  in  Cincinnati. 
My  mother  and  uncle  knew  him  well — so  we  all 
felt  him  to  have  been  our  '  mutual  friend.'  My 
father  said  Dr.  Chidlaw  was  one  of  the  very 
few  chaplains  the  soldiers  would  go  to  hear  of 
their  own  accord,  and  without  special  orders.  In 
Missouri  at  one  time,  during  a  particularly 
dangerous  period,  when  Dr.  Chidlaw  was  to 
preach,    the  '  boys  '    would  stack   their  arms    in 


MEMORIAL   TRIBUTES.  22  1 

front  of  where  services  were  to  be  held,  leave  a 
sufficient  o'uarrl  outside,  and  g"o  in  to  hear  their 
beloved  Chaplain. 

"  After  some  time  a  horse  was  procured  for 
him,  but  it  was  not  long  at  a  time,  that  Dr. 
Chidlaw  was  found  mounted.  He  would  come 
across  some  weary  soldier  almost  ready  to  drop 
from  fatigue,  and  down  he  would  jump,  saying, 
'  Here,  do  ride  this  horse  for  me  until  I  get 
limbered  up;  I'm  tired  of  the  saddle.'  Then  off 
he  would  trudge,  never  waiting  for  any  protest. 

"  Time  and  again  he  would  do  this,  and  many 
a  soldier  had  reason  to  bless  Dr.  Chidlaw  for 
his  thoughtfulness.  When  he  did  ride  he  would 
carry  all  the  muskets  and  knapsacks  it  was 
possible  for  him  to  hold  on,  thus  lightening  the 
burden  of  the  '  boys '  who  tramped  so  many 
weary  miles.  His  genial,  loving  spirit  made 
the  world  brighter  and  better,  and  many  a  heart 
is  heavy  because  he  has  gone  from  iis. " 

E.  H.  Glover. 


CHAPTER    XVII. 
LETTERS  FROM  PUBLIC  MEX. 


674  X.  Delaware  St.,  Indianapolis,  Ind. 
Mrs.  B.  W.  Chidlaw  : 

V  Dear  Madam: — Your  late  husband,  the 
Rev.  B.  W.  Chidlaw,  was  one  of  the  very 
first  preachers  that  I  listened  to ;  and,  from  the 
beginning,  he  attracted  my  admiration  and  in- 
terest. 

He  frecjuently  preached  at  the  Presbyterian 
Church  at  Cleves,  of  which  my  grand-mother 
was  a  member,  and  where  my  father's  family  at- 
tended ;  and  his  fervid  eloquence  made  him  a 
favorite  with  all  who  had  the  pleasure  of  hearing 
him. 

His  work  in  connection  with  the  Sunday- 
schools  of  the  United  States,  was  a  most  extra- 
ordinary and  useful  one.  Few"  men  in  the  min- 
istry had  a  wider  acquaintance,  or  have  left  a 
deeper  impress  for  good. 

I  heard  of  his  death  with  very  sincere  regret, 
and  beg  to  extend  to  you  my  deepest  sympathy. 
Very  truly  yours, 

Benjamin  Harrison. 


LETTERS  J- ROM  PUBLIC  MEN.  223 

In  connection  with  the  foregoing  letter,   we 

insert  one  from  the  venerable  Rev.  Dr.  J.  W. 

■Scott: 

President's  Cottage,  ( 

Cape  May  Point,  N.  J.,  Sept.  5,  1892.  f 

Mrs.  Chidlaw  : 

My  Dear  Madam: — Your  letter,  informing 
me  of  your  great  loss,  but  your  excellent  and 
highly  esteemed  husband's  infinite  and  eternal 
g-ain,  dated  Liverpool,  Eng.,  Aug.  5  th,  reached 
me  in  due  time  by  mail.  You  informed  me 
that  you  had  sent  his  precious  remains  before 
you  for  interment  in  the  land  of  his  adoption, 
and  field  of  his  great  and  extensive  labors  in  the 
.sacred  ministry,  and  other  works  of  Christian 
benevolence — pre-eminently  the  Sabbath-school 
■cause,  to  which  he  devoted  specially  the  labor 
of  his  life;  in  which  he  gathered  and  organized 
more  Sunday-schools,  I  presume  I  may  say, 
than  any  other  man  on  earth. 

I  need  not  say  to  you  that  tones  of  sadness 
would  be  inappropriate  on  such  an  occasion,  but 
rather  words  of  joy  and  rejoicing  that  the  great 
■and  good  Master  has  called  to  his  faithful  and 
laborious  servant,  ' '  Come  up  higher !  "  and  ttiken 
him  to  the  reward  of  his  labors — and  that  3'ou 


2  24  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAIV. 

were  moved  and  pleased  to  sweeten  his  closing- 
hours  by  your  society,  care  and  attention  to  his 
comfort,  during  your  short  wedded  life ;  and  laid 
him  in  the  tomb,  in  the  glorious  hope  of  a  bet- 
ter resurrection  and  re-union  in  that  blessed 
world  where  they  neither  marry  nor  are  given 
in  marriage,  but  are  as  the  angels  in  heaven, 
even  with  the  Lord. 

I  knew  brother  Chidlaw  well,  from  his  youth 
to  his  old  age — from  the  time  he  came  to  (3x- 
ford,  soinewhere  about  1830,  with  his  little  pack- 
age of  clothes  and  books  in  a  small  bundle  in 
his  hand,  and  a  small  purse  of  money  in  his 
pocket,  for  his  spare  expenses  in  college,  to 
enter  as  a  junior,  graduating  in  1832.  I  was 
familiar  with  him  in  all  his  career  in  college ; 
and  afterwards  in  his  early  ministry  in  his  first 
church  in  New  London,  a  Welsh  settlement  and 
congregation.  Then  I  married  him  to  his  first 
wife.  He  thence  removed  a  short  distance  to 
Berea,  and  preached  during  the  remainder  of 
his  pastoral  life  at  Elizabethtown,  near  Cleves, 
or  North  Bend,  the  residence  of  the  old  General 
W.  H.  Harrison — with  the  family  of  whom  he 
was  intimately  associated  in  all  his  life  in  the 
sacred  ministry;  and  in  his  later  Sabbath-school 


LETTERS  FROM  PUBLIC  MEX.  2  2^ 

agencies  which  were  so  extensive ;  and  also  his 
labors  in  the  U.  S.  Christian  Commission,  along 
with  George  H.  vStuart,  the  head  of  the  Com- 
mission. 

He  was  indefatigably  laborious,  and  faithful 
beyond  measure.  I  prize  his  memory  among 
the  most  precious  of  all  my  pupils,  and  shall 
cherish  it  to  the  end. 

Excuse  any  blunders  or  errors  in  this  manu- 
script, as  I  am  blind,  having  lost  my  second 
sight,  and  in  the  infirmity  of  old  age,  going  on 
within  a  few  months  of  93  years.  I  am,  dear 
madam,  with  highest  respect, 
Yours  truly, 

J.  W.  Scott. 
[Letter  from  Ex-Governor  Charles  Anderson, 

to  the  Rev.  Dr.  J.  G.  Monfort,  of  the  ''Herald 

and  Presbyter  \'\ 

KUTTAWA,    Ky. 

My  Dear  Friend: — Your  reference  in  the  last 
number  of  the  Herald  and  Presbyter  to  3'our 
fifty-five  full  3'ears  of  ministerial  service,  awakens 
in  me,  your  contemporary,  college  mate  and 
friend,  such  a  crowd  of  olden  memories  and 
emotions,  that  I  cannot  restrain  this  expression 
of  them.     What  an  unusual  period  of  service  to 


2  26  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

the  Master  is  herein  disclosed!     This  thought 
must  be  striking  to  any  considerate  mind. 

But  your  details  of  the  membership  of  that 
"  Presbytery  of  Oxford,"  at  Venice,  Butler  Co., 
O. ,  of  the  names  of  the  men  then  and  there  pres- 
ent and  active  in  it,  and  the  solemn  truth  that, 
"of  its  thirty-one  members,"  all,  all  are  dead 
but  two — John  W.  Scott  and  'Vi''m.  W.  Robertson 
— startles  me  as  would  voices  from  the  grave. 

•5<r  %  *  *  .5^ 

Of  the  brethren  there  assembled  for  presby- 
terial  work,  nine  others  were  well-known  to  me. 
Seven  of  them  were  college  inates,  viz:  John 
A.  Meeks,  B.  W.  Chidlaw,  David  K.  McDonald, 
W.  W.  Robertson,  Charles  vSturdevant,  Robert 
Irwin  and  Thomas  E.  Thomas.  The  first  four 
of  these  were  my  college  mates,  (of  1833).  And 
each  and  all  of  them  were,  (like  Dr.  vScott,  but 
unequally  and  under  far  less  severe  trials  than 
was  that  guardian  and  teacher),  my  unvarying 
personal  friends,  between  whom  and  myself  there 
was  never  one  shock  or  jar  to  our  mutual 
kind  feeling.  What  strange  facts  and  tender 
memories  these  must  now  be  to  me,  one  of  their 
three  survivors,  you  must  imagine,  for  I  can 
find  no  w^ords  to  express  them. 


LETTERS  FROM  PUBLIC  MEX.  227 

Nor  will  I  occupy  your  space  by  any  effort 
to  portray  and  preserve  herein  the  several  char- 
acters of  those  lost  and  loved  ones.  Let  their 
memories,  my  dear  old  friend,  be  silent  in  our 
two  lovhig-  hearts,  and  in  the  hearts  of  any  other 
yet  living-  friends  who  inay  again  read  their 
names  in  these,  our  memorials  of  that  scene. 

But  there  were  two  of  them,  whose  very  dis- 
tinguished lives  and  worth,  certainly  deserve 
from  my  pen  soinething  more  than  so  summary 
a  notice  as  their  mere  naming.  One  of  these. 
Rev.  Thomas  E.  Thomas,  D.  D.,  a  son  of  a 
most  able  and  learned  Welsh  minister  of  the 
Gospel  and  classical  teacher,  at  Paddy's  Run, 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Venice,  was  throughout 
his  course  at  our  alma  iiiatcr — for  above  five 
years — one  of  the  hardest  students  and  deep- 
est, clearest  and  most  active  minds,  as  was  well 
understood  by  the  few  who  \\-ell  knew  him.  He 
became,  in  my  poor  opinion,  one  of  the  most 
exact,  astute,  varied  and  profound  scholars  in 
any  profession. 

The  many  kindly  notices  of  that  other  com- 
mon friend  of  ours,  Benjamin  W.  Chidlaw, 
which  have  from  time  to  time  appeared  in  your 
jDaper,  have   often  stirred   within  me  a  wish   to 


2  2  6  BENJAMIN  M 'JLLIAMS  CHIDLA  W. 

speak  out  my  little  speech  of  funereal  praise 
for  my  departed  classmate  and  friend.  But  all 
of  these  tributes  have  been  so  peculiarly  truth- 
ful, generous  and  complete  in  their  commenda- 
tions of  his  work,  and  in  their  characterizations 
of  himself,  that  only  a  small  margin  of  this 
duty  is  left  for  me.  Wherefore,  distinctly 
avowing  that  I  fully  approve  and  endorse  every 
word  of  praise  to  his  memory,  of  the  many 
which  you  have  generously  printed  and  I  have 
carefully  read  (and  how  affectionately  eulogistic 
they  all  are),  I  proceed  briefly  to  add  the  only 
unwritten  word  of  praise  which  is  left  for  me  to 
write,  and  here  it  is : 

Our  class  of  1833 — up  to  that  time  by  far  the 
largest  of  the  University — was  generally  es- 
teemed by  the  Faculty  and  by  the  students  (no 
mean  judges),  to  be  quite  as  distinguished  for 
the  ability  of  its  members  as  for  their  superior 
numbers. 

Chidlaw  was  a  late  comer  into  our  ranks, 
an  emigrant  from  Athens,  in  the  fall  of  1832, 
as  I  remember  it.  Of  course,  therefore,  we 
had  far  less  opportimity  to  ob.serve  and  adjudge 
him  than  our  older  classmates,  and  in  mere 
scholarship  his  grade  was  not  high ;  but  that  is 


LETTERS  EROM  PUBLIC  MEX.  229 

a  small  affair,  since  his  inequality  arose  from  a 
shorter,  and  perhaps  a  less  g-ood  opportunity 
for  studying,  than  the  rest  of  us  had  enjoj^ed. 

In  his  recitations  and  in  his  duties  in  our  so- 
ciety (the  Erodelphian),  he  seemed  to  me  to 
show  sufficient  quickness  and  clearness  of  intel- 
lect, without  distinguishing  himself  in  either 
jphere.  He  was  from  the  first,  and  always, 
and  ever  afterwards,  the  same  kindly,  cheerful, 
g'enial,  all-loving  heart,  which  has  been  ever 
since  pulsing,  all  alive  with  these  emotions, 
down  to  his  last  heart-beat,  a  few  weeks  ago, 
near  his  own  native  Welsh  village. 

There  was  never  any  change  or  surprise  in 
the  outgrowth  of  his  moral  nature.  In  it  '  the 
boy  was,  truly  and  peculiarly,  the  father  of  the 
man.'  But  in  the  development  of  his  mental 
powers,  and  their  output  in  actual  works,  there 
was,  or  at  least  there  seemed  to  me  to  have 
been,  a  very  remarkable  change  or  develop- 
ment. For  if  I  had  been  asked,  as  we  were 
sheepishly  taking  our  sheepskins  in  the  shade 
of  the  old  College  on  that  September  day,  in 
1833,  which  one  of  many  of  the  rivals  would 
become  our  first  in  usefulness  and  distinction 
in  the  great  world  of  which  that  ceremony  was 


230  BEXJAMI.X  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

the  commencement,  Chidlaw's  claim  would 
never  have  come  into  my  thought.  Indeed,  I 
think  it  quite  likely  that  I  and  a  large  majority 
of  the  class  would  have  ranked  him  decisively 
below  the  middle  line. 

And  yet,  what  have  these  transpired  fifty- 
nine  years  developed,  or  else  disclosed  ?  Xo 
one  would  now  dare  to  claim  for  any  other  class- 
mate a  competition  with  him,  either  in  the 
sphere  of  publ'C  usefulness  or  distinction. 

As  for  myself,  I  do  believe  that  this  poor 
immigrant,  self-supporting,  and  mainly  self- 
educated  boy,  has  actually  shown  more  and 
higher  abilities,  has  done  more  and  better  pub- 
lic ser^'ice,  and  therefore  deserves  more  honors 
and  praise,  than  have  all  our  class  added  to- 
gether! This  has  been  my  belief  and  utterance 
for  these  many  years  past. 

For,  with  a  fluent  and  taking  oratory,  and 
with  a  literan.-  style  of  much  clearness,  force 
and  taste — always  with  a  "current"  in  and 
through  it — he  was,  always  and  everywhere  so 
diligent,  energetic  and  self-sacrificing  in  the 
ser\^ice  of  the  Master,  and  of  his  race,  that  the 
sum  of  his  public  labors  and  of  their  blessings, 
is  simpl}^  be3'ond   any  comparison  with  the  like 


LETTERS  FROM  PUBLIC  MEN.  231 

sum  of  any  other  classmate,    or  probably  of  us 
all  together. 

The  long  and  active  life  of  our  dear  friend, 
who  helped  you  forward  with  his  earliest  pray- 
ers, and  continued  to  sustain  and  aid  you  with 
his  very  latest  labors,  ought  now  to  speak  from 
his  silent  grave  to  you,  to  me,  to  all. 
(From  Henry  A.  Babbitt,  Late  Lieut.  Col., 
39th  O.  V.  L) 
PoMFRET,  Conn.,  July   12,  1S93. 

Though  I  find  in  my  possession  few  written 
records  of  the  services  of  our  devoted  Chaplain, 
Dr.  B.  W.  Chidlaw,  of  the  39th  O.  Reg't,  and 
none  of  his  later  life,  our  residences  having  been 
widely  separate  since  the  war,  I  do  find  in  my 
memory  the  strongest  possible  picture  of  his 
kindly,  rugged  face  and  sturdy  figure,  as  well 
as  his  noble  and  heart-winning  characteristics ; 
and  this  image  stands  forth  to  all  of  us  to-day, 
through  many  intervening  years,  as  clear  and 
well  defined  as  though  he  had  bidden  us  good- 
bye but  yesterday.  This  is  surely  but  extra 
evidence  of  the  true  greatness  of  the  man. 

It  .should  be  remembered,  that  the  most  com- 
petent and  the  best  witnesses  to  the  faithful  ser- 
vice,  and  heroic  devotion    to  duty,    constantly 


232  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

shown  by  him,  where  those  soldiers,  whom 
shock  of  battle  or  swift  or  lingering  disease  had 
laid  low,  before  Lee  and  Johnston  had  surren- 
dered. Also,  that  those  who,  since  that  time, 
have  passed  into  the  beyond,  and  swelled  their 
number  to  a  great  majority  of  the  old  regiment, 
can  not  now  be  called  upon  here,  to  pay  their 
faithful  tributes  to  his  memory. 

But  all  of  those  remaining  will  join  in  grate- 
ful remembrance  of  his  wise  and  happy  words 
of  hope  and  cheer,  his  friendly  counsel,  his  ever 
ready  hand,  and  his  winning,  stout-hearted  plead 
for  each  and  every  one  who  seemed  to  need  an 
advocate. 

We  know  it  was  his  chosen  and  most  glorious 
mission  to  preserve  and  save;  and  if  this  greater 
service  to  mankind  should  be  the  rightful  meas- 
ure of  our  homage,  no  monument  or  statue 
would  be  grand  enough,  no  shoulder-strap  suf- 
fice to  hold  the  stars  that  would  indicate  his 
proper  rank  and  place  in  our  esteem. 

No  word  of  praise  can  add  to  the  fame  of  Dr. 
Chidlaw  in  the  minds  of  those  who  knew  him 
best  and  longest.  But  in  expressing  the  un- 
changing regard  his  comrades  hold  for  his  mem- 
ory, we  plainly  follow  his  teaching  and  exam- 


LETTERS  FROM  PUBLIC  MEN.  233 

pie,  and  thus  may  help  those  that  are  left  to  a 
stronger  hold  on  all  that  is  true,  noble  and  help- 
ful here. 

I  have  also  read  his  "Story"  to  members  of 
my  family  and  others,  who  had,  in  some  degree, 
made  Dr.  Chidlaw's  acquaintance,  through  in- 
cidents in  his  army  life  within  my  remembrance, 
and  all  have  been  much  impressed  with  the  won- 
derful courage,  devotion  and  humanity  shown 
throughout  his  most  useful  and  instructive  life. 
We  see,  both  in  his  character  and  in  his  ex- 
periences as  a  pioneer,  a  notable  resemblance 
to  those  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  and  we  do,  and 
certainly  should  cherish  the  memory  of  each  of 
them  for  like  reasons. 

(From  A.  E.  Chamberlain,  Esq.) 

Cincinnati,  July  20,  1892. 
In  all  my  intercourse  with  Rev.  Dr.  Chidlaw, 
running  through  nearly  forty  years,  an  im- 
pression formed  that  grew  with  the  years,  was 
his  consecration  to  the  service  of  his  master — 
whose  service  seemed  his  great  delight.  To  do 
good  and  lead  souls  to  Christ,  seemed  the  ab- 
sorbing thought  of  his  life.  His  zeal  and  earn- 
estness had  scarcely  a  limit.  There  was  a  charm 
in    his    simplicity  and    manner,  that   gave   him 


2  34  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

great  power  in  impressing  thoughts  for  good 
upon  the  minds  of  all  brought  in  contact  with 
him.  To  illustrate,  I  will  give  you  an  incident  l 
One  Saturday  evening,  Dr.  Chidlaw,  Judge 
Stone  and  myself  were  on  board  of  a  river 
steamer,  on  our  way  to  Louisville  to  spend  the 
vSabbath  in  Christian  labor  there,  a  large  com- 
pany on  board,  200  to  300  passengers,  gathered 
in  small  groups  entertaining  each  other.  In 
the  cabin  was  quite  a  number  of  card  tables  in 
use.  About  7  P.M.,  Dr.  Chidlaw  remarked,  (as 
he  looked  down  the  cabin),  "  Brethren,  why 
may  we  not  have  religious  services  held  in  the 
cabin  ?  I  will  see  the  captain  and  officers  of 
the  boat,  and  report  in  a  few  minutes."  On  his 
return  to  us  he  said,  "We  have  their  approval." 
Having  a  supply  of  army  hymn  books  and  a 
Bible  in  his  satchel,  he  brought  them  out,  and 
stopping  in  the  centre  of  the  cabin,  introduced 
the  matter  in  this  way  (without  giving  offense 
to  anv) :  "My  friends,  in  looking  over  this 
company,  I  am  impressed  with  the  thought  that 
a  little  singing  would  add  to  the  pleasure  of  the 
evening.  We  have  with  us  Judge  Stone  and 
another  friend  from  Cincinnati,  who  would  talk 
to  us  if  desired."     The  cards  by  this  time   had 


LETTERS  FROM  PUBLIC  MEX.  235 

been  grathered  up,  and  tables  moved  out  of  the 
way.  As  the  Doctor  distributed  his  hymn  books 
he  remarked.  "  Xow  we  want  some  one  to  lead 
our  singing."  Near  the  centre-table  stood  a 
tall,  good-appearing  Kentuckian,  who  seemed 
much  interested.  The  doctor  took  him  by  the 
hand  and  said,  "My  friend,  it  seems  to  me  that 
you  could  made  yourself  useful  by  your  service. " 
"  Well,"  he  replied,  "  I  will  do  the  best  I  can," 
(and  he  proved  to  be  the  right  man).  Dr.  Chid- 
law  at  once  announced,  "AH  hail  the  power  of 
Jesus"  name,"  and  it  was  sung  with  a  will.  Our 
meeting  was  now  fully  started,  and  kept  up 
with  delightful  interest  two  hours  or  more — not 
a  person  leaving  the  cabin  until  the  close. 
Nearly  forty  men  and  women  witnessed  for 
Christ,  and  no  doubt  great  good  was  done 
in  the  name  and  for  the  cause  of  Christ. 
At  the  close,  ver\'  strong  expressions  of  thanks 
were  given  to  the  good  brother  for  suggesting 
the  services. 

[From  Rev.  H.  Thane  Miller.] 

CixciNXATi,  April  3,  1S93. 
1    am    in    receipt    of    your    favor.    March  5, 
asking  for  some  expression   regarding  impres- 
sions about  mv  old  and  beloved  friend  B.   W. 


236  BENJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

Chidlaw.  I  might  as  well  attempt  to  give  im- 
pressions of  the  lightning,  or  the  earthquake, 
for  his  power  was  simply  spiritual  electricity 
applied  to  the  hearts  and  consciences  of  the 
people ;  and  his  oratory  was  like  an  earthquake 
in  its  startling  effect  upon  the  audience  he  ad- 
dressed. They  felt  the  mighty  power  in  their 
midst,  shaking  the  foundations  of  their  indif- 
ference, or  their  being  at  ease  in  Zion  in  regard 
to  vSunday-school  and  other  religious  move- 
ments. I  knew  ]\Ir.  Chidlaw  many  years,  al- 
ways admired  and  loved  him,  and  was  proud  to 
remember  him  among  my  friends.  He  had 
marvelous  enthusiasm  m  his  oratory,  which 
was  produced  by  his  spirituality  of  heart,  and 
his  Welsh  fire  added  to  the  love  he  had  for  the 
cause  he  advocated. 
[From  the  Rev.  E.  P.  Armstrong,  vSuperintend- 

ent  of  the  Training  vSchool  for  Sunday-school 

Workers  and  Pastors'  Assistants,  Springfield, 

Mass.] 
My   Dear  jNIrs.    Chidlaw: 

It  has  long  been  a  wish  of  mine  to  secure  a 
photograph  of  your  late  lamented  husband, 
for  mounting  side  by  side  with  other  prominent 
workers   of  the  S.    S.    Union,    who    have  stood 


LETTERS  FROM  PUBLIC  MEN.  237 

with  him  throug'h  the  thick  of  the  fig'ht  in 
that  Hne  of  work.  Many  of  us,  younger  men, 
have  for  many  years  revered  him  for  his  faith- 
ful and  successful  labors,  so  wonderfully  blessed 
of  God,  and  as  I  annually  teach  the  students  of 
our  school  the  work  of  the  American  S.  S. 
Union,  it  will  be  a  very  great  help  to  me,  to 
put  before  them  the  face  of  one  w^ho  has  been 
so  long  a  successful  worker  in  this  cause. 

[From  Prof.  Charlton. 
Plainfield,  Ind.,  June  13.  1893. 
To  us  who  live  in  Indiana.  Dr.  Chidlaw's 
death  was  like  the  removal  of  a  great  land- 
mark. His  first  visit  to  Vernon,  Ind.,  in  con- 
nection with  the  Sunday-school  work  gave  rise 
to  an  incident.  All  ministers,  colporteurs  and 
others  who  visited  Vernon,  were  in  the  habit 
of  stopping  at  the  hospitable  home  of  the  emi- 
nent Dr.  B .     The  first  visit  of  Dr.  Chidlaw 

occurred  just  at  the  close  of  a  week  of  house- 
cleaning,  when  Mrs.  B was  thoroughl)'  ex- 
hausted. She  looked  down  to  the  front  gate, 
and  saw  a  horseman  ride  up  and  alight,  and 
hitch  his  horse  and  approach  the  house.  ' '  There 
comes  another  of  those  horrid  colporteurs!"  she 
said  to  herself.     She  went  to  the  door,  and  there 


238  BEXJAMJX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

met  for  the  first  time  Dr.  Chidlaw.  He,  as 
only  he  knew  how  to  do  to  perfection,  soon 
made  them  all  feel  glad  that  he  had  come.  The 
few  days  of  his  stay  were  especially  joyful 
to  all. 

Always   after,   when   ]\lrs.  B thought  of 

the  many  delightful  visits  from  Dr.  Chidlaw  in 
his  missionary  wook  in  that  section,  she  would 
express  sorrow  for  those  first  cruel  words,  and 
hope  for  forgiveness,  closing  to  the  effect  that 
we  may   "entertain  angels  unawares. " 

I  knew  Dr.  Chidlaw  as  a  worker  among  the 
fallen.  There  was  never  a  year  but  he  would 
visit  the  Indiana  Reform  vSchool  from  one  to 
two  times.  It  was  his  delight  to  be  with  the 
boys.  He  was  the  best  man  I  ever  knew ;  and 
here  in  Indiana,  an  entire  generation  are  now 
blessing  the  Lord  for  what  Dr.  Chidlaw  did  for 
them. 

[From  Chaplain  McCabe.J 

Chicago,  III.,  June   14,  1893. 

I  have  been  searching  for  an  old  scrap-book 
I  had,  in  which  there  was  a  speech  delivered  by 
Brother  Chidlaw,  m  the  Hall  of  the  House  of 
Representatives,  in  Washington,  in  the  Spring 
of  1864. 


LETTERS  FROM  PUBLIC  MEN.  239 

My  only  acquaintance  with  him  was  as  I  heard 
him  in  these  meetings.  I  never  met  him  in  the 
ami}'.  He  was  in  the  West,  I  in  the  East,  I 
remember  him  as  a  noble  man,  whose  voice 
thrilled  my  heart.  He  stirred  great  audiences 
with  his  eloquent  speeches.  They  were  elo- 
quent with  fact  and  logic.  He  was  too  earnest 
for  rhetorical  flourishes. 

There  is  no  doubt  but  that  Dr.  Chidlaw  was 
worthy  to  stand  at  the  head  of  the  whole  corps 
of  Chaplains  in  our  great  army. 

He  w^as  the  sort  of  man  to  transform  a  regi- 
ment of  raw  recruits  into  a  regiment  such  as 
Cromwell  would  have  hailed  with  delight,  and 
would  have  attached  to  his  invincible  battalion 
of  psalm-singing,  praying,  believing,  fighting 
soldiers,  who  never  knew  defeat. 

Oberlin,  O.,  July  i8,  1893. 
To  THE  Missionaries  of  the  Central  Depart- 

MEN'j',  American  S.  S.  Union: 

Dear  Brethren: — Notices  which  you  may 
have  seen  in  the  public  press  of  the  bereave- 
ment of  our  society,  in  the  death  of  Rev.  B.  W. 
Chidlaw,  D.  D.,  are  confirmed  this  morning  by 
a  communication  from  Rev.  Edwin  W.  Rice, 
D.  D.,  as  follows: 


240  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

"  We  were  pained  and  surprised  to  receive  no- 
tice of  a  cablegram  from  Wales  on  Thursday 
(14th,)  conveying  the  sad  intelligence  of  the 
death  of  dear  old  Dr.  Chidlaw,  near  his  birth- 
place on  the  morning  of  his  birthday,  (his  8ist,). 

"He  was  a  grand,  eloquent,  godly  man;  the 
oldest  missionary,  and  the  longest  in  service 
that  the  American  S.  S.  Union  ever  had.  '  The 
shadows  of  earth, '  he  has  changed  '  for  the  sun- 
light of  eternity.'  " 

Although  some  missionaries  in  this  District^ 
the  Central,  have  but  recently  come  into  the 
service,  and  therefore  are  not  very  well  ac- 
quainted with  our  deceased  brother  and  father 
in  Israel,  yet  several  of  us  have  long  been  asso- 
ciated with  him,  and  all  of  us  will  feel  person- 
ally bereaved.  He  was  for  many  years  superin- 
tendent of  Ohio  and  Indiana.  Brother  Chidlaw's 
zeal,  eloquence,  good  judgment  and  unabated 
activity,  continued  to  a  ripe  old  age,  have  made 
him  conspicuous  before  the  public  as  a  man,  a 
Christian,  and  a  Sunday-school  general  superin- 
tendent and  missionary.  We  shall  greatly  miss 
his  voice  in  our  assemblies,  his  judgment  in 
our  deliberations  and  his  warm  heart  in  our  cir- 
cles of  Christian  fellowship. 


LETTERS  FROM  PUBLIC  MEN.  2  4  I 

I  shall  be  glad  to  receive  from  you,  brethren,, 
such  expression  as  you  may  be  prompted  ta 
make,  in  view  of  this  divine  visitation  upon  us. 
While  we  all  rejoice  that  our  venerable  and  be- 
loved brother  has  been  gratified  in  his  wish  "  ta 
die  in  the  harness,"  yet  we  feel  his  departure, 
both  personally  and  organically,  as  a  sad  be- 
reavement. 

Yours  cordially, 

Chauncey  N.  Pond,  Supt. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 
LA  TER     TRIE  UTES. 


(From  the  Nciv  York  Evangelist .) 

DEATH  OF  THE  REV.  B.  W.  CHIDLAW,  D.  D. 
By  Rollin  A.  Sawyer,  D.D. 
JT  VETERAN  in  the  Christian  service,  a 
j^\  pioneer  in  Sunday-school  work,  an  evangelist 
of  wonderful  and  abiding  power,  a  specialist  in 
charitable  and  reformatory  institutions,  a  ready 
helper  in  every  good  cause  for  more  than  half 
a  century,  and  in  nearly  all  the  States  of  the 
Union,  his  life  was  a  blessing  and  his  death  is  a 
sorrow.  Fifty  years  ago  he  became  known  in 
the  anniversary  meetings  of  New  York,  and  for 
many  years  the  late  Edward  Jaffray  sustained 
him  in  his  missionary  labors  throughout  the 
Central  West.  It  is  hardly  beyond  the  truth  to 
say  that  he  organized  more  Sunday-schools, 
brought  into  life  more  churches,  called  more 
souls  to  the  Christian  life,  sent  more  young  men 
into  the  ministry,  than  any  other  man  of  his 
.generation.  This  is  a  great  record,  one  that 
will    never  be  written    out  in  this   world.      The 


LATER  TRIBUTES.  243 

harvests  of  his  dail)^  sowing  "  beside  all  waters, " 
of  his  words  spoken  in  the  ear  and  from  house 
to  house,  of  his  preaching  in  cabins  to  fifties 
and  in  groves  to  five  thousand,  have  been  gar- 
nered in  many  store  houses  ;  they  shall  be  known 
only  in  "  that  day."  His  name  is  one  "  to  con- 
jure with  "  in  all  the  district  which  formed  his 
jurisdiction  as  a  missionary,  with  every  by-way 
of  which  his  tireless  feet  and  his  cheery  voice  had 
made  close  acquaintance,  in  the  alms-houses, 
hospitals,  and  prisons,  wherever  his  way  or  his 
work  led  him.  You  had  but  to  name  this  man 
of  God,  this  servant  of  man  for  Christ's  sake, 
anywhere,  to  any  one  you  might  meet,  to  in- 
voke an  instant  response  of  interest,  admiration, 
afi:ection,  to  find  a  common  ground  with  those 
who  were  strangers  to  you.  To  be  able  to  say 
that  you  knew  "The  glorious  Ohio  Welshman,'" 
as  a  West  Virginia  stage  driver  once  styled  him, 
was  to  assure  yourself  of  a  welcome  and  some 
good  degree  of  consideration. 

What  a  messenger  from  home  and  heaven  he 
was  to  the  wounded  and  dying  in  the  late  war, 
to  the  sick  and  home-sick  m  the  hospitals  ! 
"  Chidlaw,"  said  Governor  David  Tod  to  me  one 
day,  "is  a  brigade  of  surgeons  and  nurses.  "     It 


244  BENJAMIN  WJLLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

was  a  healing  breeze  to  have  him  pass  down  the 
lines ;  it  vras  his  voice  that  turned  the  battle 
with  many  a  poor  fellow,  just  ready  to  give  up 
the  fight  for  life.  Thousands  of  men  remem- 
bered him  as  standing  beside  them  at  the  crisis ;. 
old  soldiers  at  the  "  Homes  "  tell  of  his  minis- 
try to  them  with  irrepressible  emotion.  There 
has  not  been,  it  is  not  probable  that  there  ever 
will  be  again,  just  such  a  "  ministry  at  large  "" 
as  his.  The  conditions  are  wanting ;  the  man 
was  singularly  unique.  We  shall  not  see  his. 
like.  To  one  who  remembers  Ohio  in  the 
"fifties,"  Chidlaw  will  always  stand  alongside 
of  Jacob  Little,  in  a  niche  peculiar  and  singu- 
larly separate.  He  was  that  style  of  rare  man 
which  you  have  no  wish  to  merge  in  the  crowd, 
or  to  speak  of,  save  as  a  special  theme.  We 
mourn  him  now  as  nearly  the  last  of  that  choice 
brotherhood  to  whom  Ohio  and  the  States  ad- 
jacent owe  such  a  lasting  debt. 

Xear  to  the  settlement  in  Central  Ohio,  made 
at  the  beginning  of  this  centur)^  by  the  colony 
from  Granville,  Mass. ,  is  a  picturesque  regi'''n 
of  rounded  elevations  of  land,  with  deep  de- 
pressions, a  sort  of  sequestered  rural  paradise, 
ver}'  delightful  to  look  upon,    very  restful    and 


LATER  TRIBUTES.  245 

refreshing  to  a  town- tired  e3'e.  Hither  came 
the  first  Welshmen,  ardent  Christians,  ' '  strong 
for  Christ  and  liberty."  and  here  in  the  "  Welsh 
Hills,"  Chidlaw's  boyhood,  from  ten  years  of 
age  onward,  took  shape  and  trend  for  the  years 
to  come.  The  struggle  up  and  out  into  a 
trained  ministry  was  such  as  to  sift  out  all  chaff. 
These  pioneers  came  through  the  fire.  Not  by 
any  high  roads  do  men  of  greatest  worth  come 
into  place  to-day.  But  now  tests  are  changed. 
Self  discipline  does  not  always  come  through 
bodily  hardship,  toil,  and  the  hunger  of  poverty. 
Yet  in  that  rude  school,  majestic  spirits  are  fash- 
ioned for  the  times  that  could  not  afford  a  better. 
The  snare  of  manhood  to-day  is  self-indulgence. 
If  a  man  flinch  from  that  which  is  hard  to  bear 
or  unpleasing  to  do,  he  sells  his  manhood  and 
his  birthright  together.  Upward  through  dis- 
couragement, opposition,  conflict  of  claims  on 
his  time  and  his  affections,  the  young  Chidlaw 
slowl}"  climbed  to  an  education  for  the  Christian 
ministry.  So  sublime  is  the  "call  "to  which 
they  march,  whom  Christ  has  chosen  for  a  special 
work.  It  seemed  sometimes  a  "voice  "  in  the 
ear.  The  soul  heard  it  always.  Chidlaw  at 
times  spoke  of  his   "  call."     Once,  on  the    Ohio 


246  BEXJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

River,  he  told,  in  a   steamer's    saloon,    how    he 
came  to  be  a  minister  and  a   missionary.      Men 
raid:    "It   is  one  of  the    prophets  risen    again." 
But   you    saw  in  the    very  "air"    about    him 
that    alertness,    that    "wakeful   waiting"  of   a 
ready  spirit  for  the  bugle    call.      This    was   the 
attitude    of  the  man :   he  was  ever  poised    for 
flight ;  he  slumbered  even  on  the  wing,  like   the 
eagles.      So  strong,  so  enduring  was  that    orig- 
inal impulse.      There  was  no  professionalism  m 
'his  calling.      He  let   no  currents  float  him,   he 
souj^ht  no  eddies   in  which   to  drift.      His   way 
was  original,  as  if  each  day's  work  was  inspired. 
When  asked  his  plans,  "  I  have  none,"  was  his 
answer.    "  I  go  as  the  Lord,  my  God,  shall  call!" 
There    was  the    same    ineffable    quality  in    his 
speech  and  preaching,  that  immediate  touch  and 
contact  with  the  divine,  the  heavenly,      "  When 
he  speaks,  I  seem  to  see  God,"  said  a  child   one 
day.      It  is  the  mystic  power  of  a  soul  in   com- 
munion with    Jehovah,  of  a   man  baptized   into 
the  Messias.      He  had  rare  gifts  as  an    orator — 
the  Welsh   fire,  a  voice    full    of  sweetness    and 
magnetic  quality,  a  fervid  fancy,  and   the    soul 
of  a  bard.     All    this   was  a  help  to   him.      But 
yet  the  great  charm  of  Chidlaw  was   something 


LATER  TRIBUTES.  247 

deeper  and  higher;  it  was  the  atmosphere  of 
heaven  which  surrounds  a  godly  man  and  sug- 
gests the  halo  over  the  head  of  a  saint.  He  w^as. 
a  power  anywhere — in  a  prayer-meeting,  a  con- 
ference, or  an  anniversary.  When  he  took  hold 
of  an  occasion,  it  was  a  helpful,  masterful  hand,, 
never  superfluous,  never  in  the  way,  but  always 
good  and  suggestive  of  the  best  and  highest  In 
the  "open  air  meetings,"  once  common  in  the 
West,  under  the  magnificent  trees  of  those 
primeval  woods,  Chidlaw  was  an  inspiring' 
speaker.  It  has  been  said  that  he  had  no  peer 
for  such  occasions.  But  it  was  no  shallow  talk- 
ing, no  trick  of  oratory,  no  hysterical  cry  to  ex- 
citable crow^ds ;  his  was  the  strong,  honest  speech 
of  a  man  who  felt  the  truth  and  who  knew  the 
needs  of  men  and  the  way  into  their  heart's  con- 
fidence and  love.  And  in  and  through  it  all 
was  that  air  of  other-worldliness  which  made 
him  matchless  on  occasion.  "  If  he  had  sudden- 
ly been  transfigured  and  soared  up  to  heaven  in, 
our  sight,  it  would  have  seemed  fitting,"  is  the 
expression  of  the  sentiment  of  the  audiences  he 
uplifted  in  his  rapt  hours  of  ' '  reasoning  of  right- 
eousness, temperance,  and  judgment  to  come." 
His  death    on  his  8ist  birthday,    and  at  hi& 


248  BE.XJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

birthplace,  to  which  he  had  gone  with  his  newly- 
married  wife  to  visit,  has  only  been  reported  by 
cable.  There  is  something  fitting  and  beautiful 
in  it.  He  did  not  grow  old.  There  was  youth 
in  his  eye,  his  smile,  his  hand-clasp,  his  joyous 
good-bye  as  he  sailed  away  only  a  few  days 
ago.  In  his  soaring  up  so  soon  to  heaven  from 
the  hills  of  his  native  Wales,  we  see  a  fit  close, 
a  fortunate  finish  of  the  picture.  If  it  seemed 
to  cut  short  any  plan  of  rest  or  of  life  in  new 
conditions,  to  him  there  could  be  no  call  of  God 
which  could  find  him  unready.  We  do  not  see 
the  lower  side  of  the  scene,  because  he  so  con- 
stantly looked  on  the  upper  and  the  heavenly. 
The  sun  of  his  life  does  not  set,  it  goes  out  into 
the  glory  of  the  life  beyond. 

[From  the  Cincinnati  Gazette.] 

REV.     B.     W.     CHIDLAW,     D.    D. 

By  Murat  Halstead,  in  the  Commercial  Gazette. 
I  have  read  with  sympathetic  interest  the  in- 
telligence of  the  death,  in  his  native  land, 
Wales,  and  his  burial  in  the  soil  he  loved  best, 
Ohio,  of  my  near  and  dear  friend.  Rev.  B.  W. 
Chidlaw.  It  seems  to  me  there  is  due  from  me, 
in  mem  on'  of  years  long  ago,  a  few  words  of 
bim,    for  when  I  was  very  young  he    was  good 


LA  THR  TRIB  i ' TES. 


249 


to  me,  and  his  inspirint;'  teaching's  had  a  genial 
and  profitable  influence  upon  my  life,  that  it 
has  always  been  a  pleasure  to  remember,  and 
is  now  as  ever  a  sincere  enjoyment  to  acknowl- 
edge. After  my  first  and  best  teacher  at  home, 
he  it  was  who  revealed  to  me  the  wonders  that 
are  in  books,  glimpses  of  the  glories  of  the 
world  of  literature :  and,  with  the  exception  of 
the  venerable  Dr.  Scott,  he  was  the  last  of  the 
generation  of  men  who  were  active  in  affairs 
during  my  boyhood,  and  gave  me  precious 
words  of  encouragement. 

Mr.  Chidlaw  was  the  minister  of  the  congre- 
gation in  the  neighborhood  where  1  was  born, 
and  an  excellent  example  of  a  gifted,  ardent 
young  pastor.  He  preached  and  prayed  and 
sang  in  Welsh  and  English,  and  in  his  glowing- 
energy  was  ever  seeking  good  works,  that  he 
might  enlarge  his  labors  and  his  usefitlness.  He 
was  the  vivid  living  centre  in  the  village  and 
its  surrounding  farms.  He  was  an  orator,  and 
there  was  a  sparkle  in  his  language,  and  a  ca- 
dence in  his  declamation  that  arrested  atten- 
tion and  commanded  regard.  He  was  person- 
ally attractive.  A  widow's  son,  he  was  so  good 
and  bright  a  bov  that  the  ladies  of  his  mother's 


250  BESJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

church  required  that  he  should  be  a  min- 
ister, he  had  to  go  to  Oxford  College,  in 
Butler  Co.,  Ohio,  the  saine  school  from  which 
President  Harrison  and  Whitelaw  Reid  gradu- 
ated. 

In  his  manhood  and  his  ministry  he  justified 
the  judgment  of  the  ladies  who  declared  the 
promise  of  his  schoolboy  days.  He  knew  all 
the  little  boys  for  miles  around,  and  they  could 
not  resist  his  sunny  face  and  winning  ways.  He 
was  himself  to  them  a  big  boy,  and  they  were 
charmed  to  find  such  a  companion  in  one  whose 
pulpit  thunderings  were  so  impressive. 

Some  one  told  him  I  was  a  boy  fond  of  books^ 
and  reading  Plutarch's  Lives,  RoUin's  Ancient 
History,  the  History  of  Greece  and  Rome,  Jo- 
sephus,  and  such  works,  at  an  age  that  it  was 
l^reposterous,  for  I  should  have  stuck  to  prayer 
and  the  spelling-book.  Mr.  Chidlaw  soon  had 
his  hand  on  my  head,  and  majestically  commiu- 
nicated  the  fascinating  secret  that  he  had  a 
big  book-case  filled  with  new  editions  of  choice 
works,  all  of  the  same  size,  and  bound  in  linen. 
It  was  delightful  to  know  the  case  was  never 
locked,  and  I  was  expected  to  go  straight  to 
his  house  whenever  I  pleased,    say  I  wanted  a 


LATER  TRIBUTES.  25 1 

book,  select  it  and  carry  it  off.  Mr.  Chicllaw 
knew  a  boy  well  enough  to  not  tell  him  to  be 
careful  with  the  book  and  sure  to  return  it 
soon.      I  saw  that  I  had  suddenly  become  rich. 

Among  the  volumes  from  the  treasure-house 
were  the  Life  of  Alexander  the  Great,  the  Life 
of  Charles  XIL,  Charles  IL,  the  Life  of  Lord 
Nelson,  and  the  History  of  A'enice,  and  also, 
more  surprising  than  all,  the  History  of 
Athens. 

In  the  winters,  ^Ir.  Chidlaw  taught  in  his 
church  a  school  which  it  was  my  privilege  two 
winters  to  attend.  It  was  very  different  from 
the  common  schools;  that  is,  ^Ir.  Chidlaw  was 
there,  and  it  was  agreeable  to  be  reasonably 
good  where  he  was.  He  had  a  way  of  getting 
the  best  things  out  of  pupils,  who  were  his  best 
beloved  friends.  Bad  boys  and  girls  were  sim- 
ply in  that  atmosphere  impossible.  Mr.  Chid- 
law revised  my  first  compositions,  and  heard 
my  first  recitations.  How  well  I  remember  the 
touch  of  his  pencil,  the  tone  of  his  admonition, 
above  all  his  patience  and  his  enthusiasm.  I 
go  back  fifty  years,  and  this  time  was  years  be- 
yond that.  ^Ir.  Chidlaw  was  then  under  thirty 
vears  of  age,  and  died  the  other  dav  over  ei2:htv- 


252  BEXJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHI DLAW. 

When  our  paths  parted  I  must  have  been  nearly 
thirteen,  but  I  seldom  passed  a  year  without 
meeting-  him,  and  we  had  always  something  to 
tell  each  other.  It  may  have  been  ]\Ir.  Chid- 
law's  influence  that  brought  men  of  high  repu- 
tation to  our  quiet  valley,  Dr.  Lyman  Beecher, 
Dr.  Thornton  Mills,  Dr.  Thomas  E.  Thomas, 
were  among  them. 

Mr.  Chidlaw  was  of  slender  figure,  alert,  elas- 
tic, his  eye  keen,  his  hair  a  mass  of  auburn  rings 
that  retained  undisturbed,  their  golden  gloss  and 
curl  more  than  forty  years.  He  could  not  keep 
out  of  the  war.  and  had  to  go  as  a  chaplain.  He 
was  an  ideal  Chaplain,  known  to  the  whole  army 
with  which  he  served  for  his  earnestness,  his 
fearlessness,  his  friendliness,  his  affectionate  de- 
votion to  the  soldiers,  his  tender  ministrations 
in  times  of  trouble,  his  charities,  his  patriotism, 
the  pathos  of  his  .services  amidst  the  perils  of 
warfare,  his  eloquence,  that  was  quickening  as 
a  bugle  note. 

He  was  happy  in  his  death — no  tedious  inter- 
val of  weakness  and  pain  before  the  end ;  happy 
too,  in  this,  that  the  last  scenes  of  earth  for  him 
were  among  the  beautiful  mountains  upon  which 
his   eyes  first    opened.     After    eighty  years  of 


LATER  TRIBUTES.  253 

eager  life  given  to  the  appointed  work  of  the 
Master  he  worshiped,  in  the  fullness  of  the 
faith  that  says  and  sings,  "  I  know  that  my  Re- 
deemer liveth,"  he  sleeps  in  honor  and  peace 
ever  more. 
[The  following  sketch  of  Dr.  B.  W.  Chidlaw's 

army  life,  as  Chaplain  of  the  39th  O.  V.  I., 

1861-62,  is  from  the  pen  of  Dr.  O.  W.  Nixon, 

late  Surgeon  of  the  Army.] 

I  had  known  Dr.  Chidlaw  prior  to  the  War  of 
the  Rebellion,  as  an  eloquent  minister,  and  as 
an  earnest  advocate  for  Sunday-schools,  but  I 
did  not  know  him  as  a  man  in  the  best  meaning 
of  the  term,  until  I  marched  and  tented  with 
him,  and  saw  him  tested  as  no  other  life  tests  a 
man.  The  office  of  Chaplain  in  the  volunteer 
service  of  the  Union  Army,  at  the  beginning  of 
the  war,  was  by  no  means  a  sinecure.  A  regi- 
ment, made  up  of  1,000  of  even  the  best  men, 
cut  off  from  home  restraints,  and  the  many 
helpful  influences  which  society  throws  around 
them,  requires  tact  and  wisdom  on  the  part  of 
the  officers  in  command,  if  they  are  kept  from 
retrogradins:. 

I  always  considered  that  it  was  a  great,  good 
fortune  for   "The  Groesbeck  Regiment"  (the 


254  BEXJAMJy  IVILLIAMS  CHIDLAIV. 

39th  O.  A".  I.)  that  Dr.  Chidlaw  was  chosen 
Chaplain.  It  is  safe  to  assert  that  in  the  intelli- 
gence and  patriotism  of  the  rank  and  file,  to 
say  nothing-  of  its  field  officers,  who  richly  won 
their  honors  in  the  long  contest,  it  was  the  peer 
of  any  regiment  in  the  service. 

Dr.  Chidlaw  was  a  good  judge  of  men,  and  he 
entered  upon  his  duties  with  all  the  enthusiasm 
of  his  nature.  He  did  not  begin  by  preaching 
or  scolding  over  soldier's  pranks,  but  he  set 
about  knowing  his  men  personally,  as  well  as 
byname.  He  visited  them  in  their  tents;  he 
was  an  interested  spectator  often  at  their  hard 
drills;  he  was  present  and  encouraged  all  the 
manly  sports  that  broke  the  tedium  of  army 
life,  and  he  was  as  gentle  and  thoughtful  as  a 
woman  when  any  one  of  them  was  sick.  His 
tact  often  called  for  my  admiration  when  I  saw 
how  complete  was  his  influence,  even  over  the 
wildest  characters  of  the  command. 

At  the  opening  months  of  the  war,  men  were 
often  sent  to  the  field  poorly  equipped  and  with 
limited  supplies,  and  it  often  required  eloquent 
pleading  and  earnest  efforts  of  officers  to  make 
them  contented  and  amiable.  There  were  vices 
also  to  be  corrected,  as  well  as  discipline  to  be 


LATER  TRIBUTES.  255 

•enforced.  Prominent  amono-  the  vices  was 
gambling  for  money  and  profanity.  I  never 
Tieard  Dr.  Chidlaw  publicly  reprimand  any  sol- 
dier for  such  offences.  I  have  seen  him,  when 
on  his  rounds  of  visit  to  the  tents,  come  unex- 
pectedly upon  a  company  of  gamblers,  but  he 
•did  not  appe'ir  to  see  a  card  or  aught  that  was 
wrong.  It  is  doubtless  true  that  he  earnestly 
labored  with  many  for  such  offences,  but  in 
such  a  way  as  to  win  them.  Instead  of  fearing, 
they  learned  to  love  and  honor  the  man.  Be- 
fore three  months  of  service  I  dovibt  whether 
there  was  a  soldier  in  the  regiment  that  did  not 
honor  him  as  a  minister,  while  they  loved  the 
comradeship  and  manhood  of  the  man.  They 
were  at  all  times  looking  out  for  his  comfort, 
and  few  there  were  that  would  not  have  shared 
the  best  of  their  rations,  and  given  him  half  of 
their  blanket.  I  recall  a  little  incident  which 
illustrates  what  I  have  tried  to  express.  We 
were  called  to  make  a  sudden  forced  march, 
and  the  horse  that  the  Doctor  had  been  using 
had  been  taken  by  the  Quartermaster  for  a 
temporary  purpose,  and  none  other  was  to  be 
had.  But  Chidlaw  stepped  out  as  lively  as 
any  of  the  boys   of  twenty-one,    and   said,    "I 


256  BEXJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

will  go;  lean  march."  All  the  officers  were 
willing-^  and  insisted  upon  his  occasionally  tak- 
ing a  mount.  I  overheard  the  boys  talking, 
and  they  said  in  substance,  "  Here  we  are 
among  rebs  ;  we  pay  them  two  prices  for 
everything  we  get,  and  then  they  get  behind 
logs  and  shoot  us.  There  are  plenty  of  reb 
horses,  and  here  is  the  good  old  Doctor  slush- 
ing through  reb  mud  on  foot."  The  result  of 
it  was,  that  at  the  first  halt  for  an  hour's  rest, 
a  squad,  I  think  from  Co.  D,  disappeared,  and 
before  the  bugle  sounded  for  the  march,  they 
came  up  leading  an  old  horse  upon  which  was 
a  saddle  much  more  ancient  than  the  horse,  and 
his  bridle  was  apparently  a  piece  of  clothes- 
line. The  Doctor  mounted  without  asking 
questions,  and  the  boys  thought  it  a  capital 
joke.  A  few  hours  after,  one  of  the  blooded 
horses  hitched  to  an  ammunition  wagon,  balked. 
He  \vas  unharnessed,  and  Chidlaw's  bony  Bu- 
cephalus took  his  place,  and  he  was  again  fixed 
with  a  superb  mount.  Many  years  after  the 
war  I  twitted  the  Doctor  jokingly  on  the  time 
he  rode  that  ancient  rebel  horse  impressed  by 
Co.  D.  I  found  that  he  had  wisely  judged  the 
entire  affair.      He  did  not  choose   to  humiliate 


LATER  TRIBUTES.  257 

the  boys  by  refusing  their  kindness,  but  he  qui- 
etly saw  the  Quartermaster,  and  was  assured 
that  he  would  see  to  it  that  full  value  for  the 
animal  would  be  paid.  As  Surgeon,  I  perhaps 
came  more  constantly  in  contact  with  the  Chap- 
lain, and  know  better  the  excellence  of  his  work 
than  any  other  man.  He  was  a  wise  adviser  to 
the  strong-,  and  a  tender  nurse  to  the  sick.  He 
brought  into  the  sick  tent  and  hospital  joyous- 
ness  rather  than  a  long-  face.  His  voice,  his 
face  and  his  acts  were  always  full  of  cheer;  and 
I  never  feared  Chidlaw  W'ould  depress  and  do 
harm  in  the  gravest  cases. 

No  man  born  under  the  stars  and  stripes  ever 
honored  and  loved  the  flag,  and  the  principles 
it  represents,  more  certainly,  than  did  this  son 
by  adoption.  Besides,  he  had  the  talent  to  in- 
fuse the  same  spirit  by  his  eloquence  in  all 
those  about  him.  He  was  always  brimming 
over  wath  patriotism ;  and  from  the  day  he  en- 
tered the  regiment,  he  began  the  educational 
work  which  permeated  every  part  of  it.  He 
w^as  a  inodel  of  courtesy,  and  never  trespassed 
upon  the  rights  of  others.  Side  by  side  with 
the  39th  O.  V.  I.,  was  the  27th  Ohio,  with  an- 
other   notably    good    Chaplain — the    Rev.    Dr. 


258  BEXJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

Eaton,  since  Chief  of  the  Freedmen's  Bureau, 
now  President  of  Marietta  College.  The  regi- 
ments were  scarcely  separated  during  the  war, 
and  Dr.  Chidlaw  was  almost  as  well  known  and 
loved  by  the  boys  of  the  27th.  But  his  active 
labor  was  mainly  with  his  own  men.  It  was  a 
patient  education  in  morals,  in  discipline  and 
patriotism.  His  success  was  marked.  A  guard 
tent  was  a  thing  almost  unknown,  and  seldom 
needed  in  the  39th.  As  for  patriotism,  when 
the  three  years  were  up,  and  a  call  was  made 
for  veteran  re-enlistments,  I  believe  the  records 
bear  me  out  in  saying  the  39th  furnished  a  long- 
er list  of  re-enlisted  veterans  than  any  other  regi- 
ment of  the  Western  army.  I  may  here  add,  that 
as  bullets  and  disease  thinned  the  ranks,  new 
re-enlistments  were  constantly  added,  and  the 
rolls  of  the  39th  have  on  it  over  3,000  names. 
While  due  credit  is  given  to  the  heroic  and  pa- 
triotic officers  of  the  regiment  (no  regiment  had 
grander  men),  3'et  Chidlaw  is  always  to  be  classed 
among  the  early  educators.  The  historian  has 
never  d^^elt  enough  upon  the  wonderful  educa- 
tion of  the  old  Union  army  while  in  the  field. 
I  take  the  39th  Ohio  as  an  example.  When  it 
entered  the   service,  I  believe   it  is  safe  to  say 


LATER  TRIBUTES.  259 

there  were  not  more  than  twenty-five  Abolition- 
ists in  it.  Nothing-  would  arouse  the  men 
quicker  to  resent  it,  than  to  suggest  that  they 
were  fighting  "to  free  the  niggers."  That  they 
g-ot  bravely  over  this,  history  abundantly 
proves,  while  it  also  brings  prominently  to  the 
front,  that  an  American  army  has  both  soul 
and  mind,  and  is  capable  of  education  while  it 
carried  a  musket.  The  men  at  first  looked  on 
with  apparent  indifference,  and  even  aided 
slave-owners  to  recapture  their  slaves,  who  from 
time  to  time  found  a  temporary  home  in  our 
camps.  There  came  a  time  also  when  thty  did 
not.  They  started  in  as  patriots  to  defend  the 
flag — and  justice  and  humanity  soon  joined 
hands  in  their  patriotism.  It  was  an  educa- 
tional growth,  day  by  day,  stimulated  by  events 
which  no  man  directed.     The  men  sang: 

"  Our  father's  God  to  thee, 
Land  of  the  noble  free, 
Of  thee  ve  sing;" 

and  would  turn  to  see  a  black  sla\'e,  tried  and 
handcuffed,  marching  out  of  camp  in  front  of 
his  master. 

With    the    surroundings    before    mentioned, 
those  who  have  not  had  the   experience  can  yet 


2  6o  BE.XJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAIV. 

scarcely  understand  their  transforming-  and  ed- 
ucating power.  In  a  weary  forced  march  at 
night,  when  there  was  no  reason  for  silence,  a 
regiment  in  front  woiild  strike  up  one  of  the 
patriotic  songs,  the  next  and  the  next  would 
take  it  up,  until  the  v^olume  of  sound  was  lost  in 
the  distance.  It  was  thus  that  the  good  work 
of  all  such  men  as  Chidlaw  was  reinforced,  and 
the  patriotic  men  of  the  old  Union  army  stepped 
up  higher,  and  on  to  the  broader  platform,  and 
acknowledged  the  Fatherhood  of  God  and  the 
brotherhood  of  man.  Starting  in  only  for  the 
patriotic  purpose  of  saving  the  Union,  and  leav- 
ing the  millions  of  bondsmen  in  their  servitude, 
they  sang  as  they  marched : — 

"  As  he  died  to  make  men  hol3^ 
Let  us  die  to  make  men  free." 

It  was  thus  that  the  original  25  Abolitionists, 
of  the  39th  became  1000.  The  records  show 
that  after  the  proclamation  of  Emancipation, 
when  the  regiment  was  allowed  to  cast  its  vote 
for  State  officers,  all  but  five  ' '  voted  as  they 
shot."  Dr.  Chidlaw's  failing  health,  the  second 
year  of  the  War,  warned  him  that  he  was  no- 
longer  able  to  discharge  the  hard  duties  of  the 
campaign.     When  he  retired,  he  took  with  him 


LATER  TRIBUTES  26 1 

the  esteem  and  love  of  the  entire  command.  It 
is  also  true  that  he  warmly  reciprocated  that 
love;  and  all  the  years  since,  while  he  lived,  he 
kept  in  touch  with  the  men  of  the  old  command. 
I  venture  that  there  were  few  of  the  officers  of 
the  regiment  who  personally  knew,  and  came  in 
contact  with  more  of  the  old  soldiers  of  his  regi- 
ment than  did  Dr.  Chidlaw.  If  he  was  alive  he 
would  object  to  being  called  "  a  great  man," 
but  it  is  only  just  to  say,  and  to  say  with  em- 
phasis, he  was  an  eminently  just  and  good  man. 
His  patriotism  was  interwoven  with  his  religion  ; 
and  ixi  1861-62  but  few  orators  stirred  patriotic 
men  more  certainly  than  did  Chidlaw.  One  of 
the  happy  traits  of  his  character  was,  that  he 
never  seemed  to  grow  old  in  feeling.  He  loved 
young  people;  and  it  kept  his  memory  green 
and  tender  and  youthful,  even  when  the  scar 
leaf  of  autumnal  age  was  reached.  The  good 
Quaker  poet,  Whittier,  sang  words  of  praise  to 
Thomas  wShipley,  which  are  fully  applicable  to 
Dr.  Chidlaw: 

'  •  O  loved  of  thousands  I  to  th}-  grave 
Sorrowing  of  heart  thy  brethren  bore  thee  I 

The  poor  man  and  the  rescued  slave 
Wept  as  the  broken  earth  closed  o'er  thee; 


262  BENJAMIN  Jl  'ILLIAMS  CHIDLA  W. 

And  grateful  tears  like  summer's  rain, 

Quickened  the  dying  grass  again  ! 
And  there,  as  to  some  pilgrim  shrine, 

Shall  come  the  outcasts  and  the  lowly. 
Of  gentle  deeds  and  words  of  thine 

Breathing  memories  sweet  and  holy." 

The  beauty  and  incentives  of  such  a  life  are, 
that  the  best  things  are  made  better,  and  the 
world  of  thought  is  lifted  to  a  higher  and  purer 
atmosphere,  and  the  human  and  the  divine  are 
united  and  blended. 
(General    Thomas    T.    Heath's    tribute  to    Dr. 

Chidlaw,  from  a  paper  published  in  Loveland, 

O.,  August  24,  1892.) 

In  common  with  many  of  our  citizens,  espe- 
cially our  youth,  the  writer  has  pleasant  memory 
pictures  of  "Brother  Chidlaw,"  for  he  often 
ministered  in  our  midst,  as  indeed  he  did  "in 
all  the  churches,"  and  in  thousands  of  homes, 
far  and  near. 

His  presence  was  always  and  everywhere  a 
benediction,  and  his  life  a  benefaction.  He 
loved  everybody  and  everybody  loved  him. 

In  the  camp  of  my  command  in  1863,  he  made 
a  pulpit  out  of  an  army  wagon,  and  melted 
veteran  soldiers  by  his  pathetic  and  eloquent 
appeals  to  men  in  arms  for  their  country's  exist- 


LATER  TRIBUTES.  263 

ence,  to  enter  also  that  hii^'her  service  under  the 
Captain  of  our  Salvation,  whose  banner  over  us 
is  love.  I  still  have  the  little  book,  "  The  Chris- 
tian vSoldier, "  by  Sir  Henry  Havelock,  that  he 
gave  me  one  day,  inscribed,  "  From  your  friend,, 
B.  W.  Chidlaw." 

The  earth  was  full  of  work  to  be  done.  He 
never  wasted  one  waking  hour,  would  not  re- 
main tired,  but  rested  himself  with  more  work 
— work  on  both  sides  of  the  sea;  in  western 
settlements,  and  crowded  cities ;  before  Con- 
gress and  Parliament ;  before  the  high  and 
powerfiil ;  the  low  and  the  weak ;  to  all  alike  he 
broke  the  bread  of  life. 

On  last  Memorial  Day,  May,  1892,  he  came 
from  New  York  to  perform  a  sacred  duty — to> 
decorate  the  graves  of  our  dead  soldiers.  Ar- 
rayed in  his  old  uniform  of  Chaplain  in  the 
Union  Army,  he  went  with  the  writer  and  de- 
posited roses  on  the  graves  of  President  William 
Henry  Harrison,  two  revolutionary  soldiers,  and 
some  forty-five  comrades  who  fell  in  the  war  of 
the  Rebellion,  and  were  buried  at  North  Bend 
and  Berea.  (This  done,  he  invited  the  large 
concourse  to  the  beautiful  grove  on  hi?  own 
farm  near  Berea,  where  the  multitudes  were  fed. ) 


264  BEX  I  AM  IN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

The  speaker  of  the  hour  told  the  simple  story 
of  the  Welsh  boy  in  the  picture,  holding  the  U. 
S.  flag — and — in  imagination,  the  speaker  and 
audience  went  to  Radnor,  Delaware  County, 
and  laid  their  choicest  flowers  on  the  graves  of 
that  boy's  pioneer  father  and  mother ;  then  the 
speaker  introduced  them  to  the  flag-boy,  seated 
at  his  right  hand,  his  friend — a  sprightly  youth 
of  eighty  years — Rev.  Dr.  Chidlaw ! 

There  were  tears  and  cheers  and  tears,  when 
Dr.  Chidlaw,  with  a  clarion  tone,  called  to  the 
young  people  present  to  take  a  U.  S.  flag  that 
one  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post  had  set  with  its  staff 
in  the  sod.  When  they  had  lifted  it  up,  he 
said,  "  Wave  it!  Wave  it!  It  is  the  most  beauti- 
ful flag  on  earth.  My  father  loved  it,  I  love 
it,  and  when  I  die,  I  want  it  wrapped  around 
my  coffin.  Oh!  children,  above  all,  love  your 
country's  flag,  and  love  God!  " 

He  bade  us  good-bye  then,  and  the  next 
day  started  for  his  birth-place,  Bala,  North 
Wales.  He  arrived  there  safely,  in  health  and 
spirits.  And  on  almost  the  very  spot  where  he 
was  born,  on  his  8ist  birthday,  "he  ceased  his 
earthly  work." 

In  less  than  forty  days  from  the  time  when 


LATER  TRIBUTES.  265 

he  bade  us  a  hearty  "good-bye,"  his  bod}-, 
(brought  back  from  Wales  on  Wednesday,  Aug. 
3,  1892,)  rested  for  some  hours  in  the  same 
grove,  where  he  had  spoken  so  feehngly  of  the 
flag.  According  to  his  wish  it  was  folded  about 
him.  After  the  impressive  funeral  services, 
Aug.  5th,  his  bod}^  was  carried  thence  by  loving 
hands,  and  laid  reverently  beside  his  kindred 
•and  soldier-comrades  in  Berea  Cemetery. 

Grand,  Catholic,  Christian,  American  man! 
Like  thy  Master.  The  common  people  heard 
thee  gladly.  Thou  didst  never  speak  or  write  a 
word  which,  dying,  thou  wast  compelled  to  re- 
gret. *  *  *  The  poor,  the  fatherless,  the  widow 
in  her  affliction,  were  aided  and  comforted  by 
thee.  The  example  of  thy  good  life — speaking 
with  ten  thousand  tender  and  eloquent  tongues, 
in  sacred  memories  of  tens  of  thousands,  who 
knew  and  loved  thee — shall  live  after  thee,  and 
proclaim  to  more  boys  and  girls,  and  make  plain 
to  them,  the  power  of  the  more  than  Archime- 
■dian  levers  by  which  thou  didst  aid  to  lift  up 
the  world.  Faith,  Hope,  Love,  these  three — 
but  the  greatest  of  these  is  Love ! 

Farewell,  old  soldier  of  the  Union  and  the 
Cross !     I  give  thee  the  parting  salute  in  sadness 


266  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHI DLAW. 

now.      I  will  salute  thee  again  in  gladness,  when 
the  Archangel  sounds  the  general  assembly. 


The  Presbyterian  Ministerial  Association  of 
Cincinnati,  at  a  meeting  held  Aug.  i,  1892. 
unanimously  adopted  the  following  minutes: 

The  committee  appointed  by  the  Minister-'al 
Association  of  Cincinnati,  to  prepare  a  suitable 
memorial  of  the  life  and  death  of  Rev.  B.  W. 
Chidlaw,  D.  D.,  present  the  following: 

The  deceased,  a  member  of  this  Association 
from  its  origin,  was  born  in  Bala,  Wales,  July 
14,  iSii,  and  died  in  his  native  place  July  14, 
1892,  the  day  of  the  completion  of  81  years  of 
his  pilgrimage.  When  about  ten  years  old  he 
came  with  his  parents  to  the  United  States,  and 
settled  near  Delaware,  O. 

His  father  died  within  the  first  year  of  his, 
immigration,  and  his  care  and  education  were 
left  to  his  mother,  a  most  excellent  and  efficient 
Christian  woman.  He  was  a  Christian  from 
early  life,  and  made  a  public  profession  in  1829, 
in  connection  with  the  Presbyterian  church  of 
Radnor,  O.  Even  before  this,  he  had  conse- 
crated himself  to  the  mmistry,  and  his  struggle; 


LATER  TRIBUTES.  267 

for  an  education  was  marked  by  poverty,  econ- 
omy, sacrifice  and  perseverance  seldom  equaled. 
His  studies  were  persued  privately,  and  in  the 
colleges  at  Gambier,  Athens  and  Oxford,  grad- 
uating- in  Miami  University  in  1S33.  He  studied 
theology  under  Dr.  Bishop  and  the  professors  at 
Oxford,  and  was  licensed  in  April,  1835.  For 
several  years  before,  he  was  practically  a  lay 
preacher,  showing  himself  apt  to  teach,  and  en- 
joying the  favor  of  the  churches. 

Our  dear  brother  spent  a  long  life,  eminent 
for  piety,  zeal  and  usefulness.  His  labors,, 
which  were  incessant  and  toilsome,  were  given 
to  thousands  of  churches  and  committees,  in  the 
pulpit  and  from  house  to  house,  in  vSabbath- 
schools  and  in  prayer-meetings,  and  in  poor- 
houses  and  asylums,  in  hospitals,  prisons  and 
reformatories,  in  schools,  colleges  and  theologi- 
cal seminaries;  nor  should  we  overlook  the  great 
work  he  did  in  the  army  under  the  Christian 
Commission,  on  railroads  and  on  steamers.  We 
know  of  no  one  who  could  more  hopefully  claim 
the  promise;  "  Blessed  are  ye  that  sow  beside 
all  waters." 

It  should  not  be  forgotten,  moreover,  that  the 
usefulness    and    appreciation   of   our    lamented 


•2  68  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

brother  were  greatly  increased  and  extended  by 
his  constant  and  successful  use  of  the  press,  re- 
ligious and  secular,  in  keeping  before  the  public 
the  progress  of  religion,  education  and  bene- 
ficence, and  especially  the  wants  and  claim  of 
penal  and  reformatory  institutions. 

In  view  of  all  these  facts,  this  Association 
expresses  its  high  appreciation  of  the  ministerial 
character  of  our  deceased  brother,  his  great  use- 
fulness, his  eloquence  and  fervor  as  a  preacher, 
and  his  loving  spirit  manifested  toward  all. 

The  Association  also  expresses  its  sympathy 
with  the  widow  and  children,  and  prays  that  the 
(jod  of  all  consolation  may  bless  them  in  this 
sudden  bereavement. 

J.    G.    MONFORT, 

AV.  H.    MussEV, 
J.  H.  Walter. 

Cincinnati,  July  24,  1892. 

This  Sabbath-school,  as  well  as  all  Sabbath- 
schools  of  our  country,  have  recently  met  with 
the  loss  of  one  of  its  dearest  friends,  Rev.  Dr. 
B.  W.  Chidlaw,  who  died  !:uddenly  in  Wales, 
on  his  eighty- first  birthday.  It  is  appropriate 
that  some    action    be    taken  by  this  school,  ex- 


LATER  TRIBUTES.  269 

pressing  its  sorrow  and  sympathy,  and  it  is 
therefore, 

Resolved,  That  this  school,  in  the  death  of 
Brother  Chidlaw,  has  lost  one  of  its  dearest 
earthly  friends,  and  that  whilst  sorrowing-  for 
the  loss  it  has  sustained,  in  common  with  all  the 
vSabbath-schools  of  the  land,  and  also  in  this  its 
formal  expression  of  sympathy,  it  has  also  cause 
for  gratitude  that  God  has  so  abundantly 
blessed  his  labors,  and  that  he  was  spared  so 
many  years  to  engage  in  the  work  which  en- 
listed his  whole  heart.  ]\Iay  the  Lord  bless  the 
work  to  which  his  life  was  devoted,  and  that 
the  great  Sabbath -school  organization  of  our 
land  may  reap  (whilst  they  are  sowing)  the  ben- 
efits of  his  work.  We  bow  in  humble  submis- 
sion to  our  Heavenly  Father's  will  and  pur- 
poses in  His  dealing  with  His  people,  and  pray 
that  this  dispensation  of  His  providence  may 
inspire  the  vSabbath-school  workers  to  renewed 
activity  in  the  work  to  which  the  life  of  our 
dear  Father  Chidlaw  was  consecrated. 

Resolved,  That  we  sympathize  deeply  with 
his  family  in  their  bereavement,  and  that  a  copy 
of  these  resolutions  be  sent  to  them. 


270  BEXJAMiy  WILLIAMS  CHIDLA  W. 

Resolved,  That  these  resolutions  be  spread  on 
the  minutes  of  our  Sabbath-school. 

Central  Congregational  Church 
Sabbath  School, 

HiRA.M   IxGELS,    Scc'v. 

[Copy  of  action  taken  by  the  Board  of  Trustees 
of  Miami  University,  at  their  annual  meeting, 
held  July,  1893,  in  regard  to  the  death  of 
Dr.  Chidlaw,  for  so  many  years  an  honored 
and  beloved  member  of  the  Board.] 

-MEMORIAL  OF   REV.    B.    W.    CHIDLAW,    D.    D. 

The  committee  appointed  by  the  Board  of 
Trustees  of  Miami  University,  to  prepare  a  me- 
morial notice  of  the  late  Dr.  Benjamin  W.  Chid- 
law, report  as  follows: 

In  common  with  all  those  who  knew  the  late 
Rev.  Benjamin  W.  Chidlaw,  D.  D.,  we  express 
our  high  appreciation  of  his  talents,  character 
and  usefulness.  As  a  man,  citizen  and  patriot, 
he  performed  his  duties  faithfully  and  well.  As 
a  Christian  minister,  as  Chaplain  in  the  army, 
as  an  educator,  as  orator  and  writer,  and  in  all 
the  departments  of  work  in  which  he  engaged, 
he  did  much  for  God,  our  country  and  hu- 
manitv. 


LATER  TRIBUTES.  27  I 

For  his  eminent  services  in  all  these  respects 
we  honor  him. 

But  it  is  more  especially  of  his  services  as  a 
member  of  this  Board  that  we  would  now  ex- 
press our  high  appreciation. 

Receiving  his  first  appointment  as  a  Trustee 
of  Miami  University  in  1863,  he  served  in  this 
capacity  until  his  death,  July  14,  1892,  a  period 
of  about  thirty  years.  During  all  this  time,  he 
performed  his  duties  faithfully  and  efficiently. 
His  judgment  and  advice  were  ever  valued  by 
his  fellow-members.  His  long  and  valuable 
services  as  a  Trustee,  deserve  the  appreciation 
and  gratitude  not  only  of  his  fellow-members 
in  the  Board,  but  also  of  all  the  friends  and 
patrons  of  Miami  University. 

f  D.   McDiLL, 
Committee,    !    David  R.    Moore, 
I   D.   W.   McClung. 

Miami  University,  June  14,  1893. 

A   tribute  of  respect    from  the  39TH  OHIO  voi,- 
UNTEER   INFANTRY   TO  THEIR   OLD   CHAPLAIN. 

While  the  39th  Ohio  Infantry  Volunteers 
(shorth'  after    being   mustered    into  service  in 


272  BEXJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLA  W. 

July,  1861),  were  camped  at  Camp  Dennison, 
Ohio,  preparing  and  getting  ready  for  active 
service,  attention  was  called  to  a  man  who  was 
in  the  prime  of  life — never  seeming  to  be  idle, 
and  who  was  continually  visiting  the  hospitals. 
of  the  camp,  the  barracks  of  the  men,  preach- 
ing sermons  wherever  an  opportunity  offered. 
That  man  was  Rev.  Benjamin  W.  Chidlaw. 
The  Regiment  having  no  Chaplain,  the  position 
was  tendered  him  and  accepted.  The  Regi- 
ment never  regretted  its  action,  and  only  re- 
gretted that  God  did  not  give  him  the  health  to 
remain  with  us  longer.  He  was  beloved  by 
all  men,  and  was  not  only  the  spiritual  adviser 
of  our  regiment,  but  in  his  quiet,  unostentatious 
way  would  perform  the  same  service  for  any 
command. 

He  was  destined,  however,  for  a  larger  field 
of  usefulness.  After  his  resignation  had  beea 
accepted,  his  fiery  patriotism  knew  no  rest,  and 
we  find  him  under  the  auspices  of  the  Sanitary 
and  Christian  Commissions,  visiting  hospitals  and 
battlefields,  distributing  supplies  and  administer- 
ing to  the  wants  of  the  wounded  and  sick,  until 
after  the  days  of  Appomattox. 


LATER  TRIBUTES. 


-IS 


The  following  tribute  of  respect  to  his  mem- 
ory was  passed  at  the  regiment's  second  annual 
reunion  held  in  Cincinnati,  October  4,  1892  : 

"  The  cruel  shaft  of  sorrow  has  since  our  last 
reunion  penetrated  our  ranks,  and  our  associa- 
tion has  lost  an  honored,  and  one  of  its  most 
useful  and  illustrious  members.  With  profound 
sorrow  for  his  loss,  with  affectionate  remem- 
brance of  him  as  our  Chaplain  and  friend,  and 
with  just  pride  in  his  Christian  and  manly  char- 
acter, this  association  formally  records  the  death 
of  Benjamin  Williams  Chidlaw,  our  late  Chap- 
lain— nay  our  late  benefactor — on  the  date  and 
place  of  his  birth,  on  the  14th  day  of  July  last, 
in  Bala,  North  Wales,  aged  81  years. 

"  We  remember,  as  if  to-day,  while  in  service,, 
his  firm  decision  of  mind,  his  unceasing  energy,, 
his  genial  disposition,  his  everlasting  good 
nature  and  his  ever  readiness  to  relieve  our 
wants. 

"A  grand  old  man  has  departed  this  life,  and 
the  world  was  better  from  Dr.  Chidlaw  having 
lived.  He  has  gone  from  this  mundane  sphere 
to  glory.      '  He  fought  the  good  fight,  kept  the 


2  74  BEXJAMIX  n  -ILLIAMS  CHID  LA  U '. 

faith,  finished    the  course,  entered    into  his  re- 
ward and  received  the  crown.'  " 

"  Green  be  his  memory, 
Mossy  his  grave." 


oKppenelix, 


SERMON, 

PREACHED  by  the  Rev.  B.  W.  Chidlaw, 
Chaplan  39th  Ohio  Vo\.  Infantry,  in  the 
Amphitheater,  Benton  Barracks,  Mo.,  on  the  oc- 
casion of  the  National  F'ast,  appointed  by  Presi- 
dent Lincohi,  in  September,  t86i. 

"  If  my  people,  which  are  called  by  my  name, 
shall  humble  themselves,  and  pray  and  seek  my 
face,  and  turn  from  their  wicked  ways,  then 
will  I  hear  from  heaven,  and  will  forgive  their 
sins,  and  will  heal  their  land."  II  Chron.  vii, 
14. 

Never  in  the  history  of  our  nation  have  the  peo- 
ple been  greeted  with  a  proclamation,  inviting- 
them  to  humiliation  and  prayer,  under  such  mo- 
mentous circumstances  as  those  now  surrounding 
us.  Our  national  life  is  threatened,  our  Con- 
stitution and  laws  are  assailed,  and  the  horrors 
of  civil  war  are  upon  us,  and  desolating  our  be- 
loved country. 

Our  benignant  Government,  the  best  and  the 
freest    ever  known,    is    imperilled    by    a   wide- 


276  BEXJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLA  W. 

spread  rebellion,  and  our  g-lorious  Union — for 
85  years  the  hope  of  down  trodden  humanity — 
is  in  danger  of  disintegration.  Anarchy  and 
ruin  stare  us  in  the  face.  But,  in  our  emer- 
gency, we  are  directed  by  our  Chief  Magistrate 
to  look  to  a  Rock  that  is  higher  than  we,  to  trust 
in  an  arm  omnipotent  in  power,  and  to  call  upon 
One  who  is  inighty  to  deliver.  Responding  ta 
this  call  of  patriotism  and  religion,  we  are  here 
assembled  in  the  presence  of  Almighty  God,  ac- 
knowledging his  supremacy  over  us  as  a  nation, 
and  looking  to  Him  for  guidance,  strength  and 
deliverance. 

The  record  of  our  national  history  shovrs  that 
God  has  recognized  us  as  his  people.  Our  ori- 
gin was  not  in  barbarism  and  pagan  darkness. 
God  sifted  the  nations  of  Europe  for  seed  to 
plant  in  this  new  world.  The  genus  was  of  his 
own  planting.  The  Christian  faith  and  morals 
taught  by  Divine  revelation,  the  great  principles 
of  civil  and  religious  liberty  which  obtained  in 
the  commonwealth  of  Israel,  underlie  the  Dec- 
laration of  our  Independence ;  and  the  glorious 
Government  founded  upon  its  Christianity  is 
recognized  in  our  halls  of  legislation — in  our 
courts  of   justice — in    the  millions   of  Bibles   in 


APPEXDIX.  277 

the  hands  of  our  people — and  the  tens  of  thou- 
sands of  Christian  sanctuaries  beautifying  the 
cities,  towns  and  hamlets,  all  over  this  brcjad 
land. 

Our  fathers  acknowledg-ed  the  government  of 
Jehovah  over  men,  trusted  in  it,  and  were  de- 
livered. 

The  sons  of  such  noble  sires  have  not  ignored 
the  faith  of  their  fathers,  nor  swerved  from  their 
allegiance  to  the  government  of  the  ]\Iost  High. 

To-day  the  heart  of  every  loyal  citizen  beats 
responsive  to  the  call  of  our  President,  and,  with 
this  mighty  host  loyal  to  God  and  their  country, 
around  the  altars  of  religion,  we  have  gathered 
to  humble  ourselves  under  the  mighty  hand  of 
Ood,  that  he  may  lift  us  up. 

Our  text  reveals  tlic  conditions  of  Divine  de- 
liverance in  the  day  of  our  national  calamity — 
and  to  this  subject  I  ask  your  attention: 

This  deliverance,  which  we  so  earnestly  de- 
sire, must  come  from  God ;  for  vain  is  the  help 
of  man,  for  in  the  Lord  Jehovah  is  everlasting 
strength. 

To  secure  deliverance,  we  are  summoned  to 
the  footstool  of  our  God,  to  humble  ourselves  in 
the  dust   of  genuine    humiliation.      Having,  by 


278  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS,  CHID  LAW. 

our  national  sins,  offended  the  Sovereign  upon 
the  throne,  it  is  meet  that  we  should  bow  with 
penitence  subservient  before  Him,  sincerely  ac- 
knowledging- our  g'liilt,  and  with  true  sorrow 
seek  reconciliation  and  forgiveness. 

Our  national  prosperity  has  filled  our  hearts 
with  pride,  and  we  have  forgotten  Him  who. 
ruleth  over  all.  Boasting  of  our  greatness,, 
glorying  in  our  wide  domain,  from  the  prairies 
of  the  North  to  the  everglades  of  Florida,  from 
the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific;  proud  of  the  un- 
paralelled  increase  of  our  population,  the  W'on- 
derful  development  of  our  industrial  energies,, 
and  our  widespread  commerce,  as  a  people,  this 
material  prosperity  has  been  our  snare,  and  we 
have  fallen  into  it.  If  to-day,  as  a  nation,  who.se 
heart  has  been  made  gross  by  temporal  pros- 
peritv,  and  who  have  forgotten  God,  we  bow  at 
His  footstool,  the  divine  faithfulness  secures  our 
deliv^erance  from  all  our  enemies.  A  nation, 
conscious  of  its  national  sins,  humbled  before 
God.  and  calling  for  the  intervention  of  the 
Divine  arm,  wull  not  seek  in  vain. 

Second — Prayer;  seeking  the  face  of  God  is 
another  condition  of  deliverance.  There  is  power 
in  prayer,  and  the  duty  of  calling  upon   God  in 


APPENDIX.  279 

the  hour  of  our  peril,  is  pressed  upon  us  from 
our  relations  to  God,  his  promises,  and  the 
abounding  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
"  Call  upon  me,  and  I  will  deliver  thee,"  in- 
spires our  faith,  brings  us  to  the  mercy  seat, 
and  makes  us  prevalent  in  our  supplications. 

Another  condition  of  deliverance  is  named. 
God  requires  the  nation  to  turn  away  from  its 
wicki'd  i^urys. 

Our  national  sins  are  many  and  iiagrant,  and 
cannot  be  covered.  The  wrongs  of  the  poor 
Indians ;  the  clanking  of  the  chains  of  enslaved 
millions;  the  prevalence  of  irreligion,  profanity, 
intemperance,  licentiousness,  fraud  and  dishon- 
esty ;  the  neglect  of  the  poor,  and  the  idolatry 
of  wealth ;  our  disregard  of  truth,  charity  and 
righteousness,  are  the  swift  witnesses  that  stand 
up  against  us  and  condemn  us. 

To  cover  our  national  sin  is  not  to  prosper. 
Hiding  a  deadly  cancer  is  not  its  cure.  ]\Ioral 
gangrene  at  the  national  heart,  unless  removed, 
will  stay  its  healthy  pulsations,  destroy  its  vi- 
talit3\  The  Divine  plan,  alone,  is  curative. 
Turning  from  our  wickedness  is  the  sovereign 
balm,  the  only  and  sure  remedy.  Oh  I  if  it 
could  be  applied  to   our    individual    and  to  our 


2  8o  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

national  heart — thus  by  the  purging  away  of 
■our  sins  by  the  blood  of  Christ,  our  moral 
health  would  be  restored,  our  national  life 
would  be  safe,  and  the  God  of  the  armies  of 
Israel  would  fight  our  battles  with  us. 

These  are  the  conditions  on  which  Divine  de- 
liverance is  offered.  Shall  we  accept  them  ? 
The  white  flag  of  truce,  the  good  will  of  God  to 
the  guilty,  is  sent  unto  us.  Shall  we  accept  to- 
day the  proffered  reconciliation  ?  vShall  we  bow 
humbly  before  God,  rend  our  hearts  and  not 
■our  garments,  pray  to  Him,  looking  to  the 
Lamb  that  was  slain — the  Lord  of  our  right- 
■eousness.  and  our  Redeemer  ?  Shall  ^^■e  put 
away  our  wickedness,  and  transgress  no  more  ? 
TJicn  God  will  hear.  Yea,  He  will  hear  us 
from  heaven,  and  save  us  by  his  mighty  arm. 

The  deliverance  promised  if  we  accept  and 
perform  the  conditions  named : 

1.  Our  prayers  sliall  be  anszvered.  "  TJien 
i^'ill  I  Iiear  from  lieaveii.''  There  is  power  in 
prayer.  It  moves  the  hand  of  God.  Hezekiah 
prays,  and  the  army  of  Sennacherib  is  destroyed 
Prayer  in  Congress  was  as  oil  upon  the  water  of 
strife,  and  hushed  every  rising  tumult. 

2.  The  Divine  deliverance  includes  the  for- 


LATER  TRIBUTES. 


249 


to  me,  and  his  inspiring-  teachings  had  a  genial 
and  profitable  influence  upon  my  life,  that  it 
has  always  been  a  pleasure  to  remember,  and 
is  now  as  ever  a  sincere  enjoyment  to  acknowl- 
■edge.  After  my  first  and  best  teacher  at  home, 
he  it  was  who  revealed  to  me  the  wonders  that 
are  in  books,  glimpses  of  the  glories  of  the 
Avorld  of  literature :  and,  with  the  exception  of 
the  venerable  Dr.  vScott,  he  was  the  last  of  the 
generation  of  men  who  were  active  in  affairs 
■during  my  boyhood,  and  gave  me  precious 
"words  of  encouragement. 

Mr.  Chidlaw  was  the  minister  of  the  congre- 
gation in  the  neighborhood  where  I  was  born, 
and  an  excellent  example  of  a  gifted,  ardent 
young  pastor.  He  preached  and  prayed  and 
sang  in  Welsh  and  English,  and  in  his  glowing 
■energy  was  ever  seeking  good  works,  that  he 
might  enlarge  his  labors  and  his  usefulness.  He 
was  the  vivid  living  centre  in  the  village  and 
its  surrounding  farms.  He  was  an  orator,  and 
there  was  a  sparkle  in  his  language,  and  a  ca- 
dence in  his  declamation  that  arrested  atten- 
tion and  commanded  regard.  He  was  person- 
ally attractive.  A  widow's  son,  he  was  so  good 
•and  bright  a  boy  that  the  ladies  of  his  mother's 


250  BEXJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHI DLAW. 

church  required  that  he  should  be  a  min- 
ister, he  had  to  go  to  Oxford  College,  in 
Butler  Co.,  Ohio,  the  same  school  from  which 
President  Harrison  and  Whitelaw  Reid  gradu- 
ated. 

In  his  manhood  and  his  ministry  he  justified 
the  judgment  of  the  ladies  who  declared  the 
promise  of  his  schoolboy  days.  He  knew  all 
the  little  boys  for  miles  around,  and  they  could 
not  resist  his  sunny  face  and  winning  ways.  He 
was  himself  to  them  a  big  boy,  and  they  were, 
charmed  to  find  such  a  companion  in  one  whose 
pulpit  thunderings  were  so  impressive. 

Some  one  told  him  I  was  a  boy  fond  of  books^ 
and  reading  Plutarch's  Lives,  Rollin's  Ancient. 
Histor}",  the  Histor}'  of  Greece  and  Rome,  Jo- 
sephus,  and  such  works,  at  an  age  that  it  was. 
preposterous,  for  I  should  have  stuck  to  prayer 
and  the  spelling-book.  Mr.  Chidlaw  soon  had 
his  hand  on  my  head,  and  majestically  commu- 
nicated the  fascinating  secret  that  he  had  a 
big  book-case  filled  with  new  editions  of  choice 
works,  all  of  the  same  size,  and  bound  in  linen. 
It  was  delightful  to  know  the  case  was  never 
locked,  and  I  was  expected  to  go  straight  ta 
his  house  whenever  I  pleased,    say  I  wanted  a 


LA  TER  TRIE  U  TES.  2  5  I 

book,  select  it  and  carry  it  oiT.  Mr.  Ciiidlaw 
knew  a  boy  well  enough  to  not  tell  him  to  be 
careful  with  the  book  and  sure  to  return  it 
soon.      I  saw  that  I  had  suddenly  become  rich. 

Among  the  volumes  from  the  treasure-house 
were  the  Life  of  Alexander  the  Great,  the  Life 
of  Charles  XIL,  Charles  IL,  the  Life  of  Lord 
Nelson,  and  the  History  of  Venice,  and  also, 
more  surprising  than  all,  the  History  of 
Athens. 

In  the  winters,  Mr.  Chidlaw  taught  in  his 
church  a  school  which  it  was  my  privilege  two 
winters  to  attend.  It  was  very  different  from 
the  common  schools ;  that  is,  Mr.  Chidlaw  was 
there,  and  it  was  agreeable  to  be  reasonably 
good  where  he  was.  He  had  a  way  of  getting 
the  best  things  out  of  pupils,  who  were  his  best 
beloved  friends.  Bad  boys  and  girls  were  sim- 
ply in  that  atmosphere  impossible.  Mr.  Chid- 
law revised  my  first  compositions,  and  heard 
my  first  recitations.  How  well  I  remember  the 
touch  of  his  pencil,  the  tone  of  his  admonition, 
above  all  his  patience  and  his  enthusiasm.  I 
go  back  fifty  years,  and  this  time  was  years  be- 
yond that.  ]\Ir.  Chidlaw  was  then  under  thirty 
years  of  age,  and  died  the  other  day  over  eighty. 


252  BEXJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

When  our  paths  parted  I  must  have  been  nearly 
thirteen,  but  I  seldom  passed  a  year  without 
meeting- him,  and  we  had  always  something-  to 
tell  each  other.  It  may  have  been  Mr.  Chid- 
law's  influence  that  brought  men  of  high  repu- 
tation to  our  quiet  valley.  Dr.  Lyman  Beecher, 
Dr.  Thornton  Mills,  Dr.  Thomas  E.  Thomas, 
were  among  them. 

Mr.  Chidlaw  was  of  slender  figure,  alert,  elas- 
tic, his  eye  keen,  his  hair  a  mass  of  auburn  rings 
that  retained  undisturbed,  their  golden  gloss  and 
curl  more  than  forty  years.  He  could  not  keep 
out  of  the  war.  and  had  to  go  as  a  chaplain.  He 
was  an  ideal  Chaplain,  known  to  the  whole  army 
with  which  he  served  for  his  earnestness,  his 
fearlessness,  his  friendliness,  his  affectionate  de- 
votion to  the  soldiers,  his  tender  ministrations 
in  times  of  trouble,  his  charities,  his  patriotism, 
the  pathos  of  his  services  amidst  the  perils  of 
warfare,  his  eloquence,  that  was  quickening  as 
a  bugle  note. 

He  was  happy  in  his  death — no  tedious  inter- 
val of  weakness  and  pain  before  the  end ;  happy 
too,  in  this,  that  the  last  scenes  of  earth  for  him 
were  among  the  beautiful  mountains  upon  which 
his    e3'es  first    opened.      After   eighty  years  of 


LATER  TRIBUTES. 


253 


_  eager  life  given  to  the  appointed  work  of  the 
^Master  he  worshiped,  in  the  fullness  of  the 
faith  that  says  and  sings,  *'  I  know  that  my  Re- 
deemer liveth,"  he  sleeps  in  honor  and  peace 
ever  more. 
[The  following  sketch  of  Dr.  B.  W.  Chidlaw's 

army  life,  as  Chaplain  of  the  39th  O.  V.  I., 

1861-62,  is  from  the  pen  of  Dr.  O.  W.  Nixon, 

late  Surgeon  of  the  Army.] 

I  had  known  Dr.  Chidlaw  prior  to  the  War  of 
the  Rebellion,  as  an  eloquent  minister,  and  as 
an  earnest  advocate  for  Sunday-schools,  but  I 
did  not  know  him  as  a  man  in  the  best  meaning 
of  the  term,  until  I  marched  and  tented  with 
him,  and  saw  him  tested  as  no  other  life  tests  a 
man.  The  office  of  Chaplain  in  the  volunteer 
service  of  the  Union  Army,  at  the  beginning  of 
the  war,  was  b}^  no  means  a  sinecure.  A  regi- 
ment, made  up  of  1,000  of  even  the  best  men, 
cut  off  from  home  restraints,  and  the  man}^ 
helpful  influences  which  society  throws  around 
them,  requires  tact  and  wisdom* on  the  part  of 
the  officers  in  command,  if  they  are  kept  from 
retrograding. 

I  always  considered  that  it  was  a  great,  good 
fortune  for   "'The  Groesbeck   Regiment"  (the 


2  54  BEXJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAIV. 

39th  O.  V.  I.)  that  Dr.  Chidlaw  was  chosen 
Chaplain.  It  is  safe  to  assert  that  in  the  intelli- 
gence and  patriotism  of  the  rank  and  file,  to 
say  nothing-  of  its  field  officers,  who  richly  won 
their  honors  in  the  long  contest,  it  was  the  peer 
of  any  regiment  in  the  service. 

Dr.  Chidlaw  was  a  good  judge  of  men,  and  he 
entered  upon  his  duties  with  all  the  enthusiasm 
of  his  nature.  He  did  not  begin  by  preaching 
or  scolding  over  soldier's  pranks,  but  he  set 
about  knowing  his  men  personally,  as  well  as 
byname.  He  visited  them  in  their  tents;  he 
was  an  interested  spectator  often  at  their  hard 
drills;  he  was  present  and  encouraged  all  the 
manly  sports  that  broke  the  tedium  of  army 
life,  and  he  was  as  gentle  and  thoughtful  as  a 
woman  when  any  one  of  them  was  sick.  His 
tact  often  called  for  my  admiration  when  I  saw 
how  complete  was  his  influence,  even  over  the 
wildest  characters  of  the  command. 

At  the  opening  months  of  the  war,  men  were 
often  sent  to  the  field  poorly  equipped  and  with 
limited  supplies,  and  it  often  required  eloquent 
pleading  and  earnest  efforts  of  officers  to  make 
them  contented  and  amiable.  There  were  vices 
also  to  be  corrected,  as  well  as  discipline  to  be 


LATER  TRIBUTES.  255 

■enforced.  Prominent  among-  the  vices  was 
gambling  for  money  and  profanity.  I  never 
heard  Dr.  Chidlaw  publicly  reprimand  any  sol- 
dier for  such  offences.  I  have  seen  him,  when 
•on  his  rounds  of  visit  to  the  tents,  come  unex- 
pectedly upon  a  company  of  gamblers,  but  he 
•did  not  appe-ir  to  see  a  card  or  aught  that  was 
wrong.  It  is  doubtless  true  that  he  earnestly 
labored  with  many  for  such  offences,  but  in 
such  a  way  as  to  win  them.  Instead  of  fearing, 
they  learned  to  love  and  honor  the  man.  Be- 
fore three  months  of  service  I  doubt  whether 
there  was  a  soldier  in  the  regiment  that  did  not 
honor  him  as  a  ininister,  while  they  loved  the 
•comradeship  and  manhood  of  the  man.  They 
were  at  all  times  looking  out  for  his  comfort, 
and  few  there  were  that  would  not  have  shared 
the  best  of  their  rations,  and  given  him  half  of 
their  blanket.  I  recall  a  little  incident  which 
illustrates  what  I  have  tried  to  express.  We 
were  called  to  make  a  sudden  forced  march, 
•and  the  horse  that  the  Doctor  had  been  using 
had  been  taken  by  the  Quartermaster  for  a 
temporary  purpose,  and  none  other  was  to  be 
had.  But  Chidlaw  stepped  out  as  lively  as 
any  of  the  boys    of  twenty-one,    and    said,    "I 


256  BENJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHJDLAW. 

will  go;  lean  march."  All  the  officers  were 
willing',  and  insisted  upon  his  occasionally  tak- 
ing a  mount.  I  overheard  the  boys  talking, 
and  they  said  in  substance,  "  Here  we  are 
among  rebs  ;  we  pay  them  two  prices  for 
everything  we  get,  and  then  they  get  behind 
logs  and  shoot  us.  There  are  plenty  of  reb 
horses,  and  here  is  the  good  old  Doctor  shish- 
ing  through  reb  mud  on  foot."  The  result  of 
it  was,  that  at  the  first  halt  for  an  hour's  rest, 
a  squad,  I  think  from  Co.  D,  disappeared,  and 
before  the  bugle  sounded  for  the  march,  they 
came  up  leading  an  old  horse  upon  which  was. 
a  saddle  much  more  ancient  than  the  horse,  and 
his  bridle  was  apparently  a  piece  of  clothes- 
line. The  Doctor  mounted  without  asking 
questions,  and  the  boys  thought  it  a  capital 
joke.  A  few  hours  after,  one  of  the  blooded 
horses  hitched  to  an  ammunition  wagon,  balked. 
He  was  unharnessed,  and  Chidlaw's  bony  Bu- 
cephalus took  his  place,  and  he  was  again  fixed 
with  a  superb  mount.  Many  years  after  the 
war  I  twitted  the  Doctor  jokingly  on  the  time 
he  rode  that  ancient  rebel  horse  impressed  by 
Co.  D.  I  found  that  he  had  wisely  judged  the 
entire  affair.      He  did  not  choose   to  humiliate 


LATER  TRIBUTES.  257 

the  boys  by  refusing-  their  kindness,  but  he  qui- 
etly saw  the  Quartermaster,  and  was  assured 
that  he  would  see  to  it  that  full  value  for  the 
animal  w^ould  be  paid.  As  Surgeon,  I  perhaps 
came  more  constantly  in  contact  with  the  Chap- 
lain, and  know  better  the  excellence  of  his  work 
than  any  other  man.  He  was  a  wise  adviser  to 
the  strong",  and  a  tender  nurse  to  the  sick.  He 
brought  into  the  sick  tent  and  hospital  joyous- 
ness  rather  than  a  long  face.  His  voice,  his 
face  and  his  acts  were  always  full  of  cheer ;  and 
I  never  feared  Chidlaw  would  depress  and  do 
harm  in  the  gravest  cases. 

No  man  born  under  the  stars  and  stripes  ever 
honored  and  loved  the  flag,  and  the  principles 
it  represents,  more  certainly,  than  did  this  son 
by  adoption.  Besides,  he  had  the  talent  to  in- 
fuse the  same  spirit  by  his  eloquence  in  all 
those  about  him.  He  was  always  brimming 
over  with  patriotism  ;  and  from  the  day  he  en- 
tered the  regiment,  he  began  the  educational 
work  which  permeated  every  part  of  it.  He 
was  a  model  of  courtesy,  and  never  trespassed 
upon  the  rights  of  others.  Side  by  side  with 
the  39th  O.  V.  I.,  was  the  27th  Ohio,  with  an- 
other   notably    good    Chaplain — the    Rev.    Dr. 


258  BEXJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

Eaton,  since  Chief  of  the  Freedmen's  Bureau, 
now  President  of  Marietta  College.  The  regi- 
ments were  scarcely  separated  during  the  war, 
and  Dr.  Chidlaw  was  almost  as  well  known  and 
loved  by  the  boys  of  the  27th.  Biit  his  active 
labor  was  mainly  with  his  own  men.  It  was  a 
patient  education  in  morals,  in  discipline  and 
patriotism.  His  success  was  marked.  A  guard 
tent  was  a  thing  almost  unknown,  and  seldom 
needed  in  the  39th.  As  for  patriotism,  when 
the  three  years  were  up,  and  a  call  was  made 
for  veteran  re-enlistments,  I  believe  the  records 
bear  me  out  in  saying  the  39th  furnished  a  long- 
er list  of  re-enlisted  veterans  than  any  other  regi- 
ment of  the  Western  army.  I  may  here  add,  that 
as  bullets  and  disease  thinned  the  ranks,  new 
re-enlistments  were  constantl}'  added,  and  the 
rolls  of  the  39th  have  on  it  over  3,000  names. 
While  due  credit  is  given  to  the  heroic  and  pa- 
triotic officers  of  the  regiment  (no  regiment  had 
grander  men),  yet  Chidlaw  is  always  to  be  classed 
among  the  earh^  educators.  The  historian  has 
never  d^^elt  enough  upon  the  wonderful  educa- 
tion of  the  old  Union  army  while  in  the  field. 
I  take  the  39th  Ohio  as  an  example.  When  it 
-entered  the  service,  I  believe   it  is  safe  to  say 


LATER  TRIBUTES.  259 

there  were  not  more  than  twenty-five  Abolition- 
ists in  it.  Nothing-  would  arouse  the  men 
quicker  to  resent  it,  than  to  suggest  that  they 
were  fighting  "to  free  the  niggers."  That  they 
g-ot  bravely  over  this,  history  abundantly 
proves,  while  it  also  brings  prominently  to  the 
front,  that  an  American  army  has  both  soul 
and  mind,  and  is  capable  of  education  while  it 
carried  a  musket.  The  men  at  first  looked  on 
with  apparent  indifference,  and  even  aided 
slave-owners  to  recapture  their  slaves,  who  from 
time  to  time  found  a  temporary  home  in  our 
camps.  There  came  a  time  also  when  they  did 
not.  They  started  in  as  patriots  to  defend  the 
flag — and  justice  and  humanity  soon  joined 
hands  in  their  patriotism.  It  was  an  educa- 
tional growth,  day  by  day,  stimulated  by  events 
which  no  man  directed.     The  men  sang: 

"  Our  father's  God  to  thee, 
Land  of  the  noble  free, 
Of  thee  ve  sing;" 

and  would  turn  to  see  a  black  sla\'e,  tried  and 
handcuffed,  marching  out  of  camp  in  front  of 
his  master. 

With    the    surroundings    before    mentioned, 
those  who  have  not  had  the   experience  can  vet 


26o  BE.XJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

scarcely  understand  their  transforming  and  ed- 
ucating power.  In  a  weary  forced  march  at 
night,  when  there  was  no  reason  for  silence,  a 
regiment  in  front  would  strike  up  one  of  the 
patriotic  songs,  the  next  and  the  next  would 
take  it  up,  until  the  volume  of  sound  was  lost  in 
the  distance.  It  was  thus  that  the  good  work 
of  all  such  men  as  Chidlaw  was  reinforced,  and 
the  patriotic  men  of  the  old  Union  army  stepped 
up  higher,  and  on  to  the  broader  platform,  and 
acknowledged  the  Fatherhood  of  God  and  the 
brotherhood  of  man.  Starting  in  only  for  the 
patriotic  purpose  of  saving  the  Union,  and  leav- 
ing the  millions  of  bondsmen  in  their  servitude,, 
the}-  sang  as  they  marched: — 

"  As  he  died  to  make  men  holy. 
Let  us  die  to  make  men  free." 

It  was  thus  that  the  original  25  Abolitionists 
of  the  39th  became  1000.  The  records  show 
that  after  the  proclamation  of  Emancipation, 
when  the  regiment  was  allowed  to  cast  its  vote 
for  State  officers,  all  but  five  "  voted  as  they 
shot."  Dr.  Chidlaw's  failing  health,  the  second 
year  of  the  War,  warned  him  that  he  was  no 
longer  able  to  discharge  the  hard  duties  of  the 
campaign.     When  he  retired,  he  took  with  him 


LATER  TRIBUTES  26  I 

the  esteem  and  love  of  the  entire  command.  It 
is  also  true  that  he  warmly  reciprocated  that 
love;  and  all  the  years  since,  while  he  lived,  he 
kept  in  touch  with  the  men  of  the  old  command. 
I  venture  that  there  were  few  of  the  officers  of 
the  regiment  who  personally  knew,  and  came  in 
•contact  with  more  of  the  old  soldiers  of  his  regi- 
ment than  did  Dr.  Chidlaw.  If  he  was  alive  he 
would  object  to  being  called  "  a  great  man," 
but  it  is  only  just  to  say,  and  to  say  with  em- 
phasis, he  was  an  eminently  just  and  good  man. 
His  patriotism  was  interwoven  with  his  religion ; 
and  in  1861-62  but  few  orators  stirred  patriotic 
men  more  certainly  than  did  Chidlaw.  One  of 
the  happy  traits  of  his  character  was,  that  he 
never  seemed  to  grow  old  in  feeling.  He  loved 
young  people;  and  it  kept  his  memory  green 
and  tender  and  youthful,  even  when  the  scar 
leaf  of  autumnal  age  was  reached.  The  good 
•Quaker  poet,  Whittier,  sang  words  of  praise  to 
Thomas  vShipley,  which  are  fully  applicable  to 
Dr.  Chidlaw: 

' '  O  loved  of  thousands  1  to  thy  grave 
Sorrowing  of  heart  thy  brethren  bore  thee ! 

The  poor  man  and  the  rescued  slave 
Wept  as  the  broken  earth  closed  o'er  thee; 


262  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHWLAIV. 

And  grateful  tears  like  summer's  rain, 

Quickened  the  dying  grass  again  ! 
And  there,  as  to  some  pilgrim  shrine, 

Shall  come  the  outcasts  and  the  lowly. 
Of  gentle  deeds  and  words  of  thine 

Breathing  memories  sweet  and  holy." 

The  beauty  and  incentives  of  such  a  life  are, 
that  the  best  things  are  made  better,  and  the 
world  of  thought  is  lifted  to  a  higher  and  purer 
atmosphere,  and  the  human  and  the  divine  are 
united  and  blended. 
(General    Thomas    T.    Heath's    tribute  to    Dr. 

Chidlavv,  from  a  paper  published  in  Loveland, 

O.,  August  24,  1892.) 

In  common  with  many  of  our  citizens,  espe- 
cially our  youth,  the  writer  has  pleasant  memory 
pictures  of  "Brother  Chidlaw,"  for  he  often 
ministered  in  our  midst,  as  indeed  he  did  "  in 
all  the  churches,"  and  in  thousands  of  homes, 
far  and  near. 

His  presence  was  always  and  everywhere  a 
benediction,  and  his  life  a  benefaction.  He 
loved  everybody  and  everybody  loved  him. 

In  the  camp  of  my  command  in  1S63,  he  made 
a  pulpit  out  of  an  arni}^  wagon,  and  melted 
veteran  solrJiers  by  his  pathetic  and  eloquent 
appeals  to  men  in  arms  for  their  country's  exist- 


LATEh'  TRIBUTES.  263 

ence,  to  enter  also  that  higiier  service  under  the 
Captain  of  our  Salvation,  whose  banner  over  us 
is  love.  I  still  have  the  little  book,  "  The  Chris- 
tian vSoldier, "  by  Sir  Henry  Havelock,  that  he 
gave  me  one  day,  inscribed,  "  From  your  friend, 
B.  W.  Chidlaw." 

The  earth  was  full  of  work  to  be  done.  He 
never  wasted  one  waking  hour,  would  not  re- 
main tired,  but  rested  himself  with  more  work 
— work  on  both  sides  of  the  sea ;  in  western 
settlements,  and  crowded  cities;  before  Con- 
gress and  Parliament;  before  the  high  and 
powerful;  the  low  and  the  weak;  to  all  alike  he 
broke  the  bread  of  life. 

On  last  Memorial  Day,  May,  1892,  he  came 
from  New  York  to  perform  a  sacred  duty — to 
decorate  the  graves  of  our  dead  soldiers.  Ar- 
rayed in  his  old  uniform  of  Chaplain  in  the 
Union  Army,  he  went  with  the  writer  and  de- 
posited roses  on  the  graves  of  President  William 
Henry  Harrison,  two  revolutionary  soldiers,  and 
some  forty-five  comrades  who  fell  in  the  war  of 
the  Rebellion,  and  were  buried  at  North  Bend 
and  Berea.  (This  done,  he  invited  the  large 
concourse  to  the  beautiful  grove  on  hi?  own 
farm  near  Berea^  where  the  multitudes  were  fed. ) 


264  B  EX  I  AM  J  N  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

The  speaker  of  the  hour  told  the  simple  story 
of  the  Welsh  boy  in  the  picture,  holding  the  U. 
S.  flag — and — in  imagination,  the  speaker  and 
audience  went  to  Radnor,  Delaware  County, 
and  laid  their  choicest  flowers  on  the  graves  of 
that  boy's  pioneer  father  and  mother;  then  the 
speaker  introduced  them  to  the  flag-boy,  seated 
at  his  right  hand,  his  friend — a  sprightly  youth 
of  eighty  years — Rev.  Dr.  Chidlaw ! 

There  were  tears  and  cheers  and  tears,  when 
Dr.  Chidlaw,  with  a  clarion  tone,  called  to  the 
3"oung  people  present  to  take  a  U.  S.  flag  that 
one  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post  had  set  with  its  staff 
in  the  sod.  When  they  had  lifted  it  up,  he 
said,  "  Wave  it  I  Wave  it!  It  is  the  most  beauti- 
ful flag  on  earth.  My  father  loved  it,  I  love 
it,  and  when  I  die,  I  want  it  wrapped  around 
my  coffin.  Oh  I  children,  above  all,  love  your 
country's  flag,  and  love  God!  " 

He  bade  us  good-bye  then,  and  the  next 
day  started  for  his  birth-place,  Bala,  North 
AVales.  He  arrived  there  safel}^  in  health  and 
spirits.  And  on  almost  the  very  spot  where  he 
was  born,  on  his  8ist  birthday,  "he  ceased  his 
earthly  work." 

In  less  than  forty  days  from  the  time  whfen 


LATER  TRIBUTES.  265 

he  bade  us  a  hearty  "good-bye,"  his  body, 
(brought  back  from  Wales  on  Wednesday,  Aug. 
3,  1892,)  rested  for  some  hours  in  the  same 
grove,  where  he  had  spoken  so  feelingly  of  the 
flag.  According  to  his  wish  it  was  folded  about 
him.  After  the  impressive  funeral  services, 
Aug.  5th,  his  body  was  carried  thence  by  loving 
hands,  and  laid  reverently  beside  his  kindred 
and  soldier-comrades  in  Berea  Cemetery. 

Grand,  Catholic,  Christian,  American  man! 
Like  thy  Master.  The  common  people  heard 
thee  gladly.  Thou  didst  never  speak  or  write  a 
word  which,  dying,  thou  wast  compelled  to  re- 
gret. *  *  *  The  poor,  the  fatherless,  the  widow 
in  her  affliction,  were  aided  and  comforted  by 
thee.  The  example  of  thy  good  life — speaking 
with  ten  thousand  tender  and  eloquent  tongues, 
in  sacred  memories  of  tens  of  thousands,  who 
knew  and  loved  thee — shall  live  after  thee,  and 
proclaim  to  more  boys  and  girls,  and  make  plain 
to  them,  the  power  of  the  more  than  Archime- 
■dian  levers  by  which  thou  didst  aid  to  lift  up 
the  world.  Faith,  Hope,  Love,  these  three — 
but  the  greatest  of  these  is  Love ! 

Farewell,  old  soldier  of  the  Union  and  the 
■Cross  I     I  give  thee  the  parting  salute  in  sadness 


2  66  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHID  LAW. 

now.      I  will  salute  thee  again  in  gladness,  when 
the  xVrchangel  sounds  the  general  assembly. 


The  Presbyterian  Ministerial  Association  of 
Cincinnati,  at  a  meeting  held  Aug.  i,  1892.. 
tmanimously  adopted  the  following  minutes: 

The  committee  appointed  by  the  Minister-al 
Association  of  Cincinnati,  to  prepare  a  suitable 
memorial  of  the  life  and  death  of  Rev.  B.  W., 
Chidlaw,  D.  D.,  present  the  following: 

The  deceased,  a  member  of  this  Association 
from  its  origin,  was  born  in  Bala,  Wales,  July 
14,  iSii,  and  died  in  his  native  place  July  14, 
1892,  the  day  of  the  completion  of  81  years  of 
his  pilgrimage.  When  about  ten  years  old  he 
came  with  his  parents  to  the  United  States,  and 
settled  near  Delaware,  O. 

His  father  died  within  the  first  year  of  his. 
immigration,  and  his  care  and  education  were 
left  to  his  mother,  a  most  excellent  and  efficient 
Christian  woman.  He  was  a  Christian  from 
early  life,  and  made  a  public  profession  in  1829, 
in  connection  with  the  Presbyterian  church  of 
Radnor,  O.  Even  before  this,  he  had  conse- 
crated himself  to  the  mmistry,  and  his  struggle. 


LATER  TRIBUTES.  267 

for  an  education  was  marked  by  poverty,  econ- 
oni}',  sacrifice  and  perseverance  seldom  equaled. 
His  studies  were  persued  privately,  and  in  the 
colleges  at  Gambler,  Athens  and  Oxford,  grad- 
uating in  ]Miami  University  in  1833.  He  studied 
theology  under  Dr.  Bishop  and  the  professors  at 
Oxford,  and  was  licensed  in  April,  1S35.  F*-*^ 
several  years  before,  he  was  practically  a  lay 
preacher,  showing  himself  apt  to  teach,  and  en- 
jo3'ing  the  favor  of  the  churches. 

Our  dear  brother  spent  a  long  life,  eminent 
for  piety,  zeal  and  usefulness.  His  labors, 
which  were  incessant  and  toilsome,  were  given 
to  thousands  of  churches  and  committees,  in  the 
pulpit  and  from  house  to  house,  in  Sabbath- 
schools  and  in  prayer-meetings,  and  in  poor- 
houses  and  asylums,  in  hospitals,  prisons  and 
reformatories,  in  schools,  colleges  and  theologi- 
cal seminaries;  nor  should  we  overlook  the  great 
work  he  did  in  the  army  under  the  Christian 
Commission,  on  railroads  and  on  steamers.  We 
know  of  no  one  who  could  more  hopefully  claim 
the  promise;  "Blessed  are  ye  that  sow  beside 
all  waters." 

It  should  not  be  forgotten,  moreover,  that  the 
usefulness    and    appreciation   of   our    lamented 


2  68  BEXJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

brother  were  greatly  increased  and  extended  by 
his  constant  and  successful  use  of  the  press,  re- 
ligious and  secular,  in  keeping  before  the  public 
the  progress  of  religion,  education  and  bene- 
ficence, and  especially  the  wants  and  claim  of 
penal  and  reformatory  institutions. 

In  view  of  all  these  facts,  this  Association 
expresses  its  high  appreciation  of  the  ministerial 
character  of  our  deceased  brother,  his  great  use- 
fulness, his  eloqiience  and  fervor  as  a  preacher, 
and  his  loving  spirit  manifested  to'vard  all. 

The  Association  also  expresses  its  sympathy 
with  the  widow  and  children,  and  prays  that  the 
God  of  all  consolation  may  bless  them  in  this 
sudden  bereavement. 

J.    G.    ]\l0NF0RT, 

W.  H.   MussEv. 
J.  H.  Walter. 

CiNcixxATi,  Jul}'  24,  1892. 

This  Sabbath-school,  as  well  as  all  Sabbath- 
schools  of  our  country,  have  recently  inet  with 
the  loss  of  one  of  its  dearest  friends.  Rev.  Dr. 
B.  "\V.  Chidlaw,  who  died  suddenly  in  "Wales, 
on  his  eighty-first  birthday.  It  is  appropriate 
that  some    action   be    taken  by  this  school,  ex- 


LATER  TRIBUTES.  269 

pressing  its  sorrow  and  sympathy,  and  it  is 
therefore, 

Resolved,  That  this  school,  in  the  death  of 
Brother  Chidlaw,  has  lost  one  of  its  dearest 
earthly  friends,  and  that  whilst  sorrowing  for 
the  loss  it  has  sustained,  in  common  with  all  the 
wSabbath-schools  of  the  land,  and  also  in  this  its 
formal  expression  of  sympathy,  it  has  also  cause 
for  gratitude  that  God  has  so  abundantly 
blessed  his  labors,  and  that  he  was  spared  so 
many  years  to  engage  in  the  work  which  en- 
listed his  whole  heart.  ^lay  the  Lord  bless  the 
work  to  which  his  life  was  devoted,  and  that 
the  great  Sabbath-school  organization  of  our 
land  may  reap  (whilst  they  are  sowing)  the  ben- 
efits of  his  work.  We  bow  in  humble  submis- 
sion to  our  Heavenly  Father's  will  and  pur- 
poses in  His  dealing  with  His  people,  and  pray 
that  this  dispensation  of  His  providence  may 
inspire  the  Sabbath-school  workers  to  renewed 
activity  in  the  work  to  which  the  life  of  our 
dear  Father  Chidlaw  was  consecrated. 

Resolved,  That  we  sympathize  deeply  with 
his  family  in  their  bereavement,  and  that  a  copy 
of  these  resolutions  be  sent  to  them. 


2  70  BEXJAMiy  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

Resolved,  That  these  resolutions  be  spread  on 
the  minutes  of  our  Sabbath-school. 

Central  Congregational  Church 
Sabbath  School, 

Hiram  Ingels,  Sec'y. 

[Copy  of  action  taken  by  the  Board  of  Trustees 
of  Miami  University,  at  their  annual  meeting, 
held  July,  1893,  in  regard  to  the  death  of 
Dr.  Chidlaw,  for  so  many  years  an  honored 
and  beloved  member  of  the  Board.] 

MEMORIAL  r)F   REV.    B.    W.    CHIDLAW,    D.    I). 

The  committee  appointed  by  the  Board  of 
Trustees  of  ^liami  University,  to  prepare  a  me- 
morial notice  of  the  late  Dr.  Benjamin  W.  Chid- 
law, report  as  follows : 

In  common  with  all  those  who  knew  the  late 
Rev.  Benjamin  W.  Chidlaw,  D.  D.,  we  express 
our  high  appreciation  of  his  talents,  character 
and  usefulness.  As  a  man,  citizen  and  patriot, 
he  performed  his  duties  faithfully  and  well.  As 
a  Christian  minister,  as  Chaplain  in  the  army, 
as  an  educator,  as  orator  and  writer,  and  in  all 
the  departments  nf  work  in  which  he  engaged, 
he  did  much  for  God,  our  country  and  hu- 
manitv. 


LATER  TRIBUTES.  27  I 

For  his  eminent  services  in  all  these  respects 
we  honor  hmi. 

But  it  is  more  especially  of  his  services  as  a 
member  of  this  Board  that  we  would  now  ex- 
press our  hig'h  appreciation. 

Receiving-  his  first  appointment  as  a  Trustee 
of  Miami  University  in  1S63,  he  served  in  this 
capacity  until  his  death,  July  14,  1892,  a  period 
of  about  thirty  years.  During  all  this  time,  he 
performed  his  duties  faithfulh'  and  efficiently. 
His  judgment  and  advice  were  ever  valued  by 
his  fellow-members.  His  long  and  valuable 
services  as  a  Trustee,  deserve  the  appreciation 
and  gratitude  not  only  of  his  fellow-members 
in  the  Board,  but  also  of  all  the  friends  and 
patrons  of  Miami  University. 

f  D.   McDiLL, 
Committee,  \    David  R.   Moore, 
D.   W.    McClung. 

Miami  University,  June  14,  1893. 

A    TRIBUTE   OF   RESPECT    FROM   THE  39TH   OHIO   VOL- 
UNTEER  INFANTRY   TO  THEIR   OLD   CHAPLAIN. 

While  the  39th  Ohio  Infantry  Volunteers 
(shortly  after   being   mustered   into  service  in 


272  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLA  W. 

July,  1861),  were  camped  at  Camp  Dennison, 
Ohio,  preparing  and  getting  ready  for  active 
service,  attention  was  called  to  a  man  who  was 
in  the  prime  of  life — never  seeming  to  be  idle, 
and  who  was  continually  visiting  the  hospitals- 
of  the  camp,  the  barracks  of  the  men,  preach- 
ing sermons  wherever  an  opportunity  offered. 
That  man  was  Rev.  Benjamin  W.  Chidlaw. 
The  Regiment  having  no  Chaplain,  the  position 
was  tendered  him  and  accepted.  The  Regi- 
ment never  regretted  its  action,  and  only  re- 
gretted that  God  did  not  give  him  the  health  to 
remain  with  us  longer.  He  was  beloved  by 
all  men,  and  was  not  only  the  spiritual  adviser 
of  our  regiment,  but  in  his  quiet,  unostentatious 
way  would  perform  the  same  service  for  any 
command. 

He  was  destined,  however,  for  a  larger  field 
of  usefulness.  After  his  resignation  had  been 
accepted,  his  fiery  patriotism  knew  no  rest,  and 
we  find  him  under  the  auspices  of  the  Sanitary 
and  Christian  Commissions,  visiting  hospitals  and 
battlefields,  distributing  supplies  and  administer- 
ing to  the  wants  of  the  wounded  and  sick,  until 
after  the  days  of  Appomattox. 


LATER  TRIBUTES.  273 

The  following  tribute  of  respect  to  his  mcm- 
(jry  was  passed  at  the  regiment's  second  annual 
reunion  held  in  Cincinnati,  October  4,  1892  : 

"  The  cruel  shaft  of  sorrow  has  since  our  last 
reunion  penetrated  our  ranks,  and  our  associa- 
tion has  lost  an  honored,  and  one  of  its  most 
useful  and  illustrious  members.  With  profound 
sorrow  for  his  loss,  with  affectionate  remem- 
brance of  him  as  our  Chaplain  and  friend,  and 
with  just  pride  in  his  Christian  and  manly  char- 
acter, this  association  formally  records  the  death 
of  Benjamin  Williams  Chidlaw,  our  late  Chap- 
lain— nay  our  late  benefactor — on  the  date  and 
place  of  his  birth,  on  the  14th  day  of  July  last, 
in  Bala,  North  Wales,  aged  81  3'ears. 

"  We  remember,  as  if  to-day,  while  in  service, 
his  firm  decision  of  mind,  his  unceasing  energy, 
his  genial  disposition,  his  everlasting  good 
nature  and  his  ever  readiness  to  relieve  our 
wants. 

"A  grand  old  man  has  departed  this  life,  and 
the  world  was  better  from  Dr.  Chidlaw  having 
lived.  He  has  gone  from  this  mundane  sphere 
to  glory.      '  He  fought  the  good  fight,  kept  the 


2  74  BEXJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLA  W. 

faith,  finished    the  course,  entered   into  his  re- 
^vard  and  received  the  crown.'" 

"  Green  be  his  niemor\-, 
Mossy  his  grave." 


eKppenilig:. 


SERMON, 

PREACHED  by  the  Rev.  B.  W.  Chidlaw, 
Chaplan  39th  Ohio  Vo\.  Infantry,  in  the 
Amphitheater,  Benton  Barracks,  Mo.,  on  the  oc- 
casion of  the  National  Fast,  appointed  by  Presi- 
dent Lincohi,  in  September,  1861. 

"  If  my  people,  which  are  called  by  my  name, 
shall  humble  themselves,  and  pray  and  seek  my 
face,  and  turn  from  their  wicked  ways,  then 
will  I  hear  from  heaven,  and  will  forgive  their 
sins,  and  will  heal  their  land."  II  Chron.  vii, 
14. 

Never  in  the  history  of  our  nation  have  the  peo- 
ple been  greeted  with  a  proclamation,  inviting 
them  to  humiliation  and  prayer,  under  such  mo- 
mentous circumstances  as  those  now  surrounding 
us.  Our  national  life  is  threatened,  our  Con- 
stitution and  laws  are  assailed,  and  the  horrors 
of  civil  war  are  upon  us,  and  desolating  our  be- 
loved countr}'. 

Our  benignant  Government,  the  best  and  the 
freest   ever  known,    is   imperilled    by    a    wide- 


276  BEXJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLA  IV. 

spread  rebellion,  and  our  glorious  Union — for 
85  years  the  hope  of  down  trodden  humanity — 
is  in  danger  of  disintegration.  Anarchy  and 
ruin  stare  us  in  the  face.  But,  in  our  emer- 
gency, we  are  directed  by  our  Chief  Magistrate 
to  look  to  a  Rock  that  is  higher  than  we,  to  trust 
in  an  arm  omnipotent  in  power,  and  to  call  upon 
One  who  is  mighty  to  deliver.  Responding  to 
this  call  of  patriotism  and  religion,  we  are  here 
assembled  in  the  presence  of  Almighty  God,  ac- 
knowdedging  his  supremacy  over  us  as  a  nation^ 
and  looking  to  Him  for  guidance,  strength  and 
deliverance. 

The  record  of  our  national  history  shows  that 
God  has  recognized  us  as  his  people.  Our  ori- 
gin was  not  in  barbarism  and  pagan  darkness. 
God  sifted  the  nations  of  Europe  for  seed  to 
plant  in  this  new  world.  The  genus  was  of  his 
own  planting.  The  Christian  faith  and  morals 
taught  by  Divine  revelation,  the  great  principles 
of  civil  and  religious  liberty  which  obtained  in 
the  commonwealth  of  Israel,  underlie  the  Dec- 
laration of  our  Independence ;  and  the  glorious 
Government  founded  upon  its  Christianity  is 
recognized  in  our  halls  of  legislation — in  our 
courts  of   justice — in    the  millions   of  Bibles   in 


AFPEXDIX.  277 

the  hands  of  our  people — and  the  tens  of  thou- 
sands of  Christian  sanctuaries  beautifying  the 
cities,  towns  and  hamlets,  all  over  this  broad 
land. 

Our  fathers  acknowledged  the  government  of 
Jehovah  over  men,  trusted  in  it,  and  were  de- 
livered. 

The  sons  of  such  noble  sires  have  not  ignored 
the  faith  of  their  fathers,  nor  swerved  from  their 
.allegiance  to  the  government  of  the  Most  High. 
To-day  the  heart  of  every  loyal  citizen  beats 
responsive  to  the  call  of  our  President,  and,  with 
this  mighty  host  loyal  to  God  and  their  country, 
around  the  altars  of  religion,  we  have  gathered 
to  humble  ourselves  under  the  mighty  hand  of 
God,  that  he  may  lift  us  up. 

Our  text  reveals  tlic  conditions  of  Divine  de- 
liverance in  the  day  of  onr  national  calamity — 
and  to  this  subject  I  ask  your  attention: 

This  deliverance,  which  we  so  earnestly  de- 
sire, must  come  from  God ;  for  vain  is  the  help 
of  man,  for  in  the  Lord  Jehovah  is  everlasting 
strength. 

To  secure  deliverance,  we  are  summoned  to 
the  footstool  of  our  God,  to  humble  ourselves  in 
the  dust   of  genuine    humiliation.      Having,  by 


278  BEXJAMIX  WILLIAMS  CHI Dl.AW. 

our  national  sins,  offended  the  Sovereign  upon 
the  throne,  it  is  meet  that  we  should  bow  with 
penitence  subservient  before  Him,  sincerely  ac- 
knowledg-ing  our  guilt,  and  with  true  sorrow 
seek  reconciliation  and  forgiveness. 

Our  national  prosperity  has  filled  our  hearts 
with  pride,  and  we  have  forgotten  Him  who 
ruleth  over  all.  Boasting  of  our  greatness, 
glorying  in  our  wide  domain,  from  the  prairies 
of  the  Xorth  to  the  everglades  of  Florida,  from 
the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific;  proud  of  the  un- 
paralelled  increase  of  our  population,  the  won- 
derful development  of  our  industrial  energies, 
and  our  widespread  commerce,  as  a  people,  this 
material  prosperity  has  been  our  snare,  and  we 
have  fallen  into  it.  If  to-day,  as  a  nation,  whose 
heart  has  been  made  gross  by  temporal  pros- 
perity, and  who  have  forgotten  God,  we  bow  at 
His  footstool,  the  divine  faithfulness  secures  our 
deliv^erance  from  all  our  enemies.  A  nation, 
conscious  of  its  national  sins,  humbled  before 
God.  and  calling  for  the  intervention  of  the 
Divine  arm,  will  not  seek  in  vain. 

Second — Prayer;  seeking  the  face  of  God  is 
another  condition  of  deliverance.  There  is  power 
in  prayer,  and  the  duty  of  calling  upon  God  in 


APPENDIX.  279 

the  hour  of  our  peril,  is  pressed  upon  us  from 
our  relations  to  God,  his  promises,  and  the 
abounding-  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
"  Call  upon  me,  and  I  will  deliver  thee,"  in- 
spires our  faith,  brings  us  to  the  mercy  seat, 
and  makes  us  prevalent  in  our  supplications. 

Another  condition  of  deliverance  is  named. 
God  requires  the  nation  to  turn  aiv'ay  from  its 
ivickcd  iL'aj'S. 

Our  national  sins  are  many  and  flagrant,  and 
cannot  be  covered.  The  wrongs  of  the  poor 
Indians ;  the  clanking  of  the  chains  of  enslaved 
millions ;  the  prevalence  of  irreligion,  profanity, 
intemperance,  licentiousness,  fraud  and  dishon- 
esty ;  the  neglect  of  the  poor,  and  the  idolatry 
of  wealth;  our  disregard  of  truth,  charity  and 
righteousness,  are  the  swift  witnesses  that  stand 
up  against  us  and  condemn  us. 

To  cover  our  national  sin  is  not  to  prosper. 
Hiding  a  deadly  cancer  is  not  its  cure.  ]\Ioral 
gangrene  at  the  national  heart,  unless  removed, 
will  stay  its  healthy  pulsations,  destroy  its  vi- 
talit3\  The  Divine  plan,  alone,  is  curative. 
Turning  from  our  wickedness  is  the  sovereign 
balm,  the  only  and  sure  remedy.  Oh  I  if  it 
could  be  applied  to   our    individual    and  to  our 


28o  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

national  heart — thus  by  the  purjj^ing  away  of 
our  sins  by  the  blood  of  Christ,  our  moral 
health  would  be  restored,  our  national  life 
would  be  safe,  and  the  God  of  the  armies  of 
Israel  would  fig'ht  our  battles  with  us. 

These  are  the  conditions  on  which  Divine  de- 
liverance is  offered.  vShall  we  accept  them  ? 
The  white  flag  of  truce,  the  good  will  of  God  to 
the  guilty,  is  sent  unto  us.  Shall  we  accept  to- 
day the  proffered  reconciliation  ?  wShall  we  bow 
humbly  before  God,  rend  our  hearts  and  not 
our  garm.ents,  pray  to  Him,  looking  to  the 
Lamb  that  was  slain — the  Lord  of  our  right- 
eousness, and  our  Redeemer  ?  vShall  we  put 
away  our  wickedness,  and  transgress  no  more  ? 
TJicn  God  will  hear.  Yea,  He  will  hear  us 
from  heaven,  and  save  us  by  his  mighty  arm. 

The  deliverance  promised  if  we  accept  and 
perform  the  conditions  named : 

1.  Our  prayers  sJiall  be  anszvered.  "  Tlicn 
ivill  I  hear  from  heaven."'  There  is  power  in 
prayer.  It  moves  the  hand  of  God.  Hezekiah 
prays,  and  the  army  of  Sennacherib  is  destroyed 
Prayer  in  Congress  was  as  oil  upon  the  water  of 
strife,  and  hushed  every  rising  tumult. 

2.  The  Divine  deliverance  includes  the  for- 


APPENDIX.  281 

givoiess  of  sill,  and  Divine  favor.  In  the  com- 
monwealth of  Israel,  the  sins  of  the  people  made 
the  land  to  mourn.  The  heavens  were  as  brass 
— pestilence,  war  and  famine  wasted  the  God- 
forgettint^"  people.  Prayer  brought  showers  of 
rain,  arrested  the  dark  wing  of  wasting  pesti- 
lence, and  put  the  armies  of   the  alien  to  flight. 

3.  The  deliverance  that  the  mercy  of  God  se- 
cures is  the  restoration  of  peace — '" I  loill  heal 
tJicir  land." 

The  triumph  of  secession,  the  success  of  the 
rebellion  instigated  by  it,  is  to  inaugurate  per- 
petual war,  and  to  make  the  United  States  like 
distracted,  bleeding  ^lexico. 

To  have  peace,  to  heal  our  land,  the  Union 
must  he  preserved,  the  supremacy  of  the  General 
Government  sustained,  and  its  authority  vindi- 
eated  on  every  inch  of  our  territory.  Loyalty 
to  the  Government  is  peace.  To  heal  our  bleed- 
ing country,  rebellion  must  be  suppressed.  Dis- 
loyalty with  uplifted  hand  cries  out,  "  Let  us 
alone!"  and  while  the  foundations  of  the  Gov- 
ernment are  heaving,  rebels  and  their  apolo- 
gists cry  out,  "Peace,  peace,  peace!"  While 
this  work  of  ruin,  over  which  devils  might  hold 
a  carnival,  is  progressing,  woe  to  the  arm  that 


282  BEXJAMJy  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAIV. 

would  not  smite  the  foe.  God  is  to  give  us 
peace  tJiroiigh  the  trinvipJis  of  our  arms  and  the 
achievements  of  our  navy. 

vSoldiers  I  you  are  sent  of  God  to  secure  peace 
by  crushing  rebelhon  on  the  battle  field.  Trust 
in  Him ;  pray  to  Him ;  live  for  Him,  and  our 
bleeding  land  shall  be  healed. 

A   THANKSGIVING   SERMON. 

Preached  before  the  39th  O.  V.,  at  Camp 
Todd,  Macon,  Missouri,  Nov.  28,  1861,  by  Rev. 
B.  W.  Chidlaw,  Chaplain. 

(Reported  in  the  Courier,  and  prefaced  b}- 
this  editorial  note:  "  We  call  attention  to  the 
able  and  eloquent  Thanksgiving  vSermon,  by 
the  Rev.  B.  W.  Chidlaw,  published  on  first 
page.      Don't  fail  to  read  it.") 

Text. — "O,  give  thanks  unto  the  Lord,  for 
he  is  good."     Ps.  cxvii,  i. 

Every  duty  which  God  requires  of  his  crea- 
tures is  perfectly  reasonable.  As  moral  and  ac- 
countable beings,  we  are  the  subjects  of  the 
Divine  Government;  our  homage,  and  our 
obedience  to  God's  authority  and  law,  are 
righteous  and  reasonable  demands.  As  de- 
pendent  creatures,  receiving   every  good    and 


APPENDIX.  283 

perfect  gift,  from  His  kind  and  bountiful  hand, 
gratitude  and  thanksgiving  should  flow  from 
every  heart  and  burthen  the  utterances  of 
every  tongue.  To-day,  in  nineteen  of  these 
United  States,  in  accordance  with  a  time-hon- 
ored usage,  the  people,  by  the  Governors  of 
their  respective  States,  have  been  invited  to  lay 
aside  the  cares  and  business  of  life,  to  think  of 
the  manifold  blessings  of  Divine  Providence, 
and  at  their  homes  and  Christian  sanctuaries,  to 
offer  fervent  prayer  and  grateful  acknowledg- 
ments to  our  Heavenly  Father,  for  his  abundant 
goodness  and  plenteous  mercy. 

We  are  assembled,  this  morning,  under  pe- 
culiar circumstances;  far  from  our  peaceful, 
homes,  and  in  the  midst  of  all  the  dreadful  reali- 
ties of  civil  war.  Responding  with  glad  hearts 
to  the  proclamation  of  our  honored  Governor, 
we  have  marched  from  our  homes  on  the  tented 
field,  stacked  our  arms,  and  in  this  House  of  God, 
we  would  pay  our  vows  unto  the  Lord,  and  adore 
with  thanksgiving,  His  great  and  holy  name. 

Individually,  we  are  the  constant  recipients  of 
Divine  favors,  for  in  God  we  live,  move,  and 
have  all  the  blessings  which  render  existence 
such  a  blessing,  such  a  boon. 


284  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

The  great  expounder  of  the  Constitution, 
nearing  to  life's  last  mile-stone,  appreciating  the 
blessings  of  life,  exclaimed,  "  I  still  live  I  "  In 
the  midst  of  death  and  its  harbingers  on  the 
battle-fields,  and  in  the  hospital,  we  are,  all  of 
us  here,  alive,  before  God.  Life,  health  and 
reason  are  divine  favors,  inestimable  in  value, 
and  indispensable  for  the  enjoyment  of  life;, 
these  we  have  shared  in  rich  profusion. 

Our  days  and  nights  have  been  crowned  with, 
never-ceasing  bestowments  of  Divine  goodness. 
Our  time  has  not  been  spent  bed-ridden  and 
SDrely  afflicted,  our  reason  has  not  been  de- 
throned, nor  the  raving  of  the  maniac  heard 
from  our  lips.  What  a  blessing  is  a  sound  mind 
in  a  healthy  body !  Think  of  it,  my  hearers,  ap- 
preciate its  worth,  and  with  humble,  grateful 
hearts,  give  thanks  unto   the  Lord   your  God. 

Call  to  remembrance,  also,  the  moral  and 
spiritual  blessing  we  have  personally  enjoyed, 
What  power  unseen,  but  real,  has  preserved  you 
from  the  degrading  dominion  of  those  lusts  and 
passions  that  war  against  the  soul  ?  Why  has. 
not  habitual  drunkenness  dragged  you  down  be- 
neath its  iron  heel,  brutalized  your  humanity, 
crushed  your  mental  faculties,  and  hurried  you 


APPENDIX.  285 

down  into  a  drunkard's  dishonored  grave? 
While  others  have  fallen,  you  have  maintained 
your  ground  against  this  monster  foe.  God 
helped  you  to  stand ;  and  to  the  integrity  of  your 
moral  principles,  and  the  fear  of  God,  you  owe 
this  deliverance.  Then  thankfully  acknowledge 
His  goodness,  and  anew  pledge  fidelity  at  the 
altars  of  temperance. 

%  *  %  *  -5!: 

The  soldier,  free  from  vicious  habits,  fortified 
with  good  principles,  devoted  to  moral  and  in- 
tellectual improvement,  holds  in  his  own  hand 
a  God-giving  passport  to  respect,  usefulness 
and  honor,  wherever  he  goes.  Napoleon, 
from  his  rank  and  file,  gathered  up  Generals, 
Field  Marshals  and  Kings.  Your  country  will 
not  fail  to  recognize  and  appreciate  the  moral, 
the  intellectual,  and  the  heroic  claims  of  her  gal- 
lant sons.  Then,  amid  the  trials  and  difficulties 
of  camp  life,  Joseph-like,  maintain  your  moral 
purity  unstained,  avoid  the  snares  of  guilty 
pleasures,  turn  away  from  the  gambling  table 
and  the  gilded  saloon ;  devote,  assiduously,  your 
time  and  talents  to  military  duty,  moral  and 
mental  culture ;  then  God  w' ill  enrich  you  with 
all   the   treasures  of   His  love,  shield   you  with 


2  86  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLA  W. 

His  arm,  guide  you  with  his  eye ;  and  in  the 
camp  or  on  the  battle-field,  with  you  all  will  be 
well. 

In  our  social  and  domestic  blessings,  we  find 
abundant  reasons  for  thanksgiving.  Never  be- 
fore, on  such  a  da}^  have  we  looked  at  our 
homes,  and  our  loved  ones  there  with  such  emo- 
tions of  interest  and  gratitude.  Here  we  are 
surrounded  with  homes  desolated,  society 
loosened  in  all  its  ties,  upheaved  with  mutual 
distrusts  and  bitter  animosities — the  sad  work 
of  secesson.  In  our  distant  homes,  beyond  the 
Father  of  Waters,  the  prairies  of  Illinois,  and  the 
hills  of  Indiana,  in  the  valleys  of  the  Miami, 
Scioto,  and  the  Muskingum,  all  is  peace  and 
harmony.  No  rebel  hordes,  in  the  madness  of 
treason,  pillage  and  destroy.  As  the  shield  of 
Divine  Providence  is  over  our  homes,  our  fami- 
lies and  friends,  while  our  beloved  common- 
wealth is  blessed  with  peace  and  plenty  in  all 
its  borders,  let  us  joyously  and  gratefully  give 
thanks  to  the  Lord  our  God,  and  serve  Him  all 
our  days. 

In  this  day  of  our  national  peril,  while  armed 
treason  is  lifted  up  to  destroy  the  life  of  a  nation, 
to  subvert  law  and  order,  to  break  up  the  tried 


APPENDIX.  287 

foundations  of  civil  government — -to  stay  its 
cursed  blows,  to  crush  its  malignant  power,  is  a 
duty,  an  honor  and  a  privilege,  for  which  every 
loyal  heart  should  give  devont  thanksgiving  ta 
the  Ruler  of  nations.  Did  not  the  fathers  of 
our  nationality  thank  God  for  their  high  calling 
in  behalf  of  human  freedom,  vindicated  on  every 
battle  field  of  the  Revolution  ? 

They,  by  sacrifices  that  we  have  read  of,  but 
never  experienced,  laid  broad  and  deep  the 
foundations  of  a  free  government,  and  eighty- 
five  years  of  trial  has  proved  it  to  be  the  best 
the  world  ever  saw.  The  men  of  '76  laid  the 
corner- stones  of  our  free  institutions,  ordained 
of  God,  and  the  men  of  '93  reared  the  well-com- 
pacted and  glorious  edifice.  The  world  has. 
gazed  upon  it  with  astonishment  and  hope.  Im 
1 86 1,  all  civilized  nations  beheld  with  horror  a. 
bold  attempt  to  destroy  it — to  raze  its  holy 
foundations,  and  build  on  its  ruins  a  "  Confed- 
eracy," founded  on  human  slavery  as  its  chief 
corner-stone.  Is  it  duty  to  save  your  life  from 
the  assassin  ?  Is  it  a  privilege  to  aid  in  arrest- 
ing the  lurid  flames  sweeping  over  your  dwell- 
ing !  So,  in  the  preservation  of  our  Govern- 
ment, which  God    has  founded  and    favored  for 


2  88  BEMAMJX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

eighty-five  years  with  his  approving  smiles,  it  is 
our  duty  to  pray  that  ' '  God  would  arise  and 
scatter  its  enemies,  and  bring  them  down,"  and 
to  gird  on  the  sword  in  His  name,  and  as  His 
agents  to  crush  the  foe;  and  thus  restore  the 
Union,  maintain  the  supremacy  of  law,  and 
bring  peace  in  all  our  borders.  We  should 
thank  God  that  He  has  given  us  a  strong  arm 
and  a  willing  heart  to  strike  our  manly  blows  in 
this  second  war  of  independence.  We  are  de- 
fending the  principles,  the  actions,  and  the 
success  of  the  men  of  '76.  If  truth  and  right 
were  on  their  side  in  the  battlefields  of  the 
Revolution,  they  are  equally  on  our   side  in  the 

struggles  of  '61. 

*  %  *  * 

To-day,  with  the  great  heart  of  loyalty  in  all 
its  pulsations  beating  in  perfect  harmony  to  put 
down  this  wicked  rebellion,  so  broad  in  its  di- 
mensions, and  disastrous  in  its  purposes,  let  us 
g^ive  thanks  to  Almighty  God  that  in  this  great 
conflict  we  have  not  only  the  right  on  our  side, 
but  might.  Our  resources  to  carry  on  this  war 
of  self-preservation  are  abundant.  In  the  loyal 
States  *  *  *  ^yg  have  near  20,000,- 
000    that   have   never  bowed  the    knee  to  this 


APPENDIX.  289 

political  Baal,  which  is  worshiped  by  traitors 
and  their  sympathizers.  These  20,000,000  be- 
lieve in  the  divineness  of  human  governments, 
and  that  the  temple  of  our  freedom  is  not  to  be 
undermined  at  pleasure,  and  a  free  people  hope- 
lessly crushed  in  its  ruins.  We  have  3,800,000 
fighting  men,  worthy  of  their  sires,  out  of  which 
the  grand  army  of  deliverance  may  be  formed. 
Already,  500,000  men,  brave  and  true,  are  in 
arms,  and  on  the  fields.  A  million  more,  in  the 
spirit  of  the  freedom-loving  Bohemians,  are 
ready  to  follow  Ziska's  drum  whenever  it  beats. 
Our  own  beloved,  honored  Ohio,  has  already 
sent  out  to  the  battlefields  of  right  against 
wrong,  6r,ooo  of  her  valiant  sons.  She  has 
sent  twenty-three  gallant  regiments  to  Virginia, 
to  rescue  the  Old  Dominion  from  the  grasp  of 
the  destroyer.  Eighteen  regiments  are  in 
Kentucky,  glorious  old  Kentucky,  repelling  the 
invasion  of  her  soil ;  and  in  Missouri,  two  of  her 
regiments  have  stood  before  the  sweeping  tides 
of  rebellion  and  ruin.  After  this  first  fruit  of 
loyalty  to  the  Union  and  confidence  in  the  gov- 
ernment— this  sacred  suffering  on  the  altar  of 
patriotism — ^.she  has  a  reserve  of  400,000  of  her 
sons    that    she  can   send    to  the  rescue.      Ohio 


290  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

weeps  over  her  gallant  Lowe,  and  all  her  gallant 
troops  that  fell  on  the  battlefields  of  Virginia, 
Kentucky  and  Missouri.  Robbed  of  her  worthy- 
sons,  that  are  cold  in  death  or  treated  as  felons, 
in  loathesome  prisons,  she  will  not  withhold  her 
treasures  of  men  and  money.  All  her  energies^ 
■  all  her  resources,  will  promptly  respond  to  the 
call  of  our  country  in  every  time  of  need,  and 
let  our  hearts  redound  with  thanksgiving  to  the 
God  of  our  fathers,  that  our  great  Common- 
wealth is  so  highly  distinguished. 

The  amount  of  subsistence  for  the  support  of 
our  vast  armies  is  trul}' wonderful,  and  demands, 
our  grateful  recognition  and  humble  thanks. 
Our  enemies  look  at  their  hoarded  cotton;  they 
can  convert  it  to  no  available  use;  there  is  noth- 
ing to  eat  or  wear  in  it.  This  King  Cotton — 
their  all  in  all — their  strong  deliverer — their 
bribe  to  the  nations  of  Europe — is  virtually  in 
chains,  helpless  and  hopeless.  But  what  of  the 
grain  and  provisions  of  the  West,  the  commerce 
of  the  Atlantic  coast,  and  the  manufactories  of 
the  East  ?  Like  mighty  giants  aroused,  they 
are  advancing  to  the  contest.  We  can  feed  our 
five  hundred  thousand  noble  soldiers  with  abun- 
dance of  the  choicest  food,  and  send  an  iinmense 


APPENDIX. 


291 


nirplus  to  feed  the  famishing"  millions  of  France 
and  England,  And  this  supply  of  food  is  a 
bond  that  these  nations  shall  keep  the  peace 
with  the  United  States — a  security  against  for- 
eign interference — an  assurance  that  we  shall 
do  our  own  work  in  our  own  way,  none  molest- 
ing or  making  us  afraid. 

The  clothing  needed  by  our  army,  we  shall 
soon  be  able  to  supply.  The  wool  crop  of  the 
United  States,  in  1857,  was  18,000,000  pounds, 
and  our  hills  are  still  covered  with  flocks,  so 
that  the  15,000,000  yards  of  cloth  needed  annu- 
ally can  be  manufactured.  Thus,  in  the  provi- 
dence of  God,  we  can  feed  and  clothe  our  vast 
army.  The  nation  is  not  impoverished  by  this 
righteous  war.  The  producing  and  consuming 
is  among  ourselves.  *  *  *  T\iQ  nation  is 
really  strengthened  in  its  material  interests  and 
vitality  by  this  demonstration  of  strength  in  self- 
preservation.  A  national  debt  will  be  a  light 
burden  compared  with  the  dismemberment  of 
the  Union,  and  the  siib version  of  the  Constitu- 
tion. Money  invested  in  the  national  loan  will 
bind  the  people  to  a  common  interest  in  main- 
taining the  integrity  and  perpetuity  of  the  Gen- 
eral Government. 


292  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHI DLAW. 

In  the  prosecution  of  this  war  we  have  suf- 
fered some  reverses.  These  have  been  mercies 
in  disguise,  trials  of  our  confidence  in  the  just- 
ness of  our  cause  and  the  integrity  of  our  pur- 
poses, for  which  we  find  reasons  for  thanksgiv- 
ing. Our  defeats  have  humbled  our  pride, 
taught  us  lessons  of  wisdom,  and  really  made 
us  stronger.  They  aroused  and  consolidated 
our  military  power,  as  nothing  but  such  mo- 
mentary defeat  could  do.  The  barren  victories 
of  our  enemies  at  Bull's  Run  and  Lexington 
have  not  settled  the  question  that  the  Union  is 
to  be  dissolved,  and  a  new  dynasty  erected  on 
its  crumbling  ruins. 

But  they  have  gathered  an  army,  with  a  young 
leader,  on  the  banks  of  the  Potomac,  whose  ad- 
vance will  soon  be  felt  at  Richmond  and  Nash- 
ville. They  have  sent  forth  an  Armada  that  has 
leveled  to  the  dust  the  strongholds  of  rebellion 
in  the  very  centre  of  its  strength — the  pledge  that 
■ere  long  the  starry  banner  shall  wave  on  the 
battlements  of  Moultrie  and  Sumter;  and  they 
are  now  marshaling  on  the  banks  of  the  Missis- 
sippi a  force  which,  blessed  of  our  God,  is  des- 
tined to  plant  the  old  emblem  of  our  nationality 
over  the  Crescent  City  and  the  plains  of  Texas. 


APPEXDIX. 


!93 


As  a  regiment,  the  Thirty-ninth  O.  V.  In- 
fantry has  shared  largely  in  the  benefactions  of 
JDivine  providence.  The  God  of  the  armies  of 
Israel  has  been  our  sun  and  shield.  General 
good  health  has  blessed  our  ranks.  Only  ten 
of  our  number  have  died.  The  maintenance  of 
good  order  and  sound  discipline  has  elevated 
our  regimental  character,  and  given  us  a  repu- 
tation worthy  of  reliable  and  gentlemanly  sol- 
diers. Let  the  morale  of  our  regiment  be  sa- 
credly maintained ;  yea,  let  our  standard  of 
moral  and  military  excellence  be  elevated  higher 
and  higher,  so  that  no  honored  parent,  no  loving 
wife  or  atfectionate  child,  shall  be  sorrow-smit- 
ten  or  disgraced  by  our  conduct,  or  our  fate. 

*  *  *  True  to  each  other,  our  country,, 
and  God,  in  trials  and  triumph,  in  joy  and  in  sor- 
row, we  shall  aid  our  comrades  in  arms  till  vic- 
tory shall  rest  on  our  banner,  and  our  Govern- 
ment be  vindicated  and  sustained — the  Union 
indivisible  now  and  for  ever. 

I  add  one  other  cause  of  our  thanksgiving. 
While  we  see  around  us  the  blighting  curse  of 
secession,  on  once  happy  homes — on  the  altars 
of  religion,  the  temples  of  learning,  and  the 
marts  of  trade- — our  loved  Ohio  is  blessed  with 


294  BESJAMJX  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

peace  in  all  her  borders.  Her  2,360,000  of  in- 
habitants have  their  sanctuaries  opened  for  the 
worship  of  God.  Over  12,000  school-houses 
echo  the  sweet  hum  of  our  children,  quietly 
pursuing-  their  educatic  n.  Our  fields  have  teemed 
with  an  abundant  harvest;  the  din  of  industry 
is  heard  in  our  shops,  and  all  departments  of 
business  give  signs  of  activity  and  thrift.  The 
majesty  of  law  gives  security  to  our  homes ;  social 
life  is  not  embittered  by  mutual  feuds  and 
rankling  animositie:t..  *  *  *  *  Peace  and 
plent}'  bless  our  distant  homes.  Xo  accursed 
rebellion  has  brought  gaunt  famine  to  stare  them 
in  the  face.  Starvation  prices  are  not  there ; 
the  necessaries  and  comforts  of  life  abound,  and 
none  of  our  loved  ones  need  suffer. 

Enjoying  the  blessings  of  a  benignant,  just 
and  free  government,  and  now  in  the  day  of  its 
peril,  called  to  defend  it  from  powerful  and  in- 
A-eterate  foes,  let  patriotism  and  religion  nerve 
you  for  the  conflict. 

As  a  soldier,  maintain  the  position  and  char- 
acter of  a  true  gentleman ;  exemplify  the  .stern 
braver}'  of  a  gallant  hero,  combined  with  the 
virtues  of  true  goodness.  Always  act  under  the 
authority  of  enlightened  convictions  of  the  good 


APPENDIX. 


295 


and  true  ;  cheerfully  obey  your  superiors ;  study 
your  duty,  and  do  it  with  pleasure;  honor  the 
law  in  all  its  requirements.  While  you  serve  your 
government,  let  prompt,  constant  and  cheerful 
obedience  be  your  thank  offering.  In  this  war- 
fare against  lawlessness,  stand  up  for  the  maj- 
esty of  the  law  and  its  supremacy.  In  every- 
thing-, be  regulated  by  its  authorit)" ;  never  let 
lawlessness  stamp  with  its  black  stains  the  fair 
record  of  your  soldier  life. 

Give  to  God  the  homage  of  your  heart ;  believe 
and  study  His  holy  word ;  rest  on  His  gracious 
promises;  delight  in  His  holy  law,  and  lay  hold 
on  eternal  life,  the  gift  of  God  through  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ. 

[From  the  Memorial  pamphlet,  published  by 
special  request,  containing  the  funeral  dis- 
course delivered  at  Berea,  Ohio,  August  5, 
1892,  by  the  Rev.  William  Carson,  A.M.) 

"  TRIUMPHA  MORTE  JAM  VITA." 

The  pamphlet  is  thus  prefaced  by  the  publisher ; 

In  the  death  of  Father  Chidlaw  I  have  lost  an 

old   neighbor,  a    wise  counselor    and  a    valued 

friend,  whom  I    have    known   and  loved    since 

early  boyhood.   I  shall  always  cherish  the  mem- 


296  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

ory  of  this  godly  man.  This  address,  delivered 
at  his  funeral,  is  a  full  and  complete  analysis  of 
his  character,  and  well  worthy  of  being  pre- 
served in  permanent  form.  We  have  a  beautiful 
illustration  of  the  possibilities  of  youth,  of  the 
position  of  honor  and  influence  that  lies  within 
the  reach  of  any  industrious  and  ambitious  bo}^ 
however  humble  his  early  life  may  be.  "Every 
man  is  the  architect  of  his  own  fortune."  Let 
our  young  men  make  the  same  wise  choice,  put 
the  same  vim  and  vigor  into  their  work,  and 
push  right  onward  with  the  same  dauntless 
courage,  and  they  will  find  the  world  a  paradise 
and  heaven  as  their  final  good. 

"  Lives  of  great  men  all  remind  us 
We  can  make  our  lives  sublime, 

And  departing,  leave  behind  us 
Footprints  on  the  sands  of  time." 

Waljer  Hartpence. 

Dr.  Chidlaw's  body  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  old 
family  burying  ground  of  Berea,  near  Cleves 
O.  The  fitneral  service  was  held  on  the  green 
lawn,  under  the  shadow  of  the  big  trees,  within 
a  stone's  throw  of  the  old  homestead.  The  day 
was  beautiful,  and  there  was  a  great  crowd. 
The  venerable  Dr.  Monfort,  senior  editor  of    the 


APPENDIX. 


297 


Herald  and  Prcsbvtcr,  a  classmate  and  lifelong" 
friend,  presided.  A  large  number  of  ministers 
were  present  and  took  part  in  the  service, 
among  whom  were  Drs.  Francis,  Potter,  James, 
Thompson,  Jones,  Griffith,  and  A.  E.  Chamber- 
lain. It  was  an  impressive  hour,  well  befitting 
the  close  of  this  etninently  successful  career, 
consecrated  to  the  service  of  God. 

"  Let  me  die  the  death  of  the  righteous,  and 
let  mv  last  end  be  like  his." 


298  BENJAMIN  WILLIAMS  CHIDLAW. 

[Translation  of  the  Six  Stanzas  on  "  Civyn 
Pererin  Oedranus,''  by  the  Rev.  David  Rob- 
erts, D.  D.,  Wrexham, — a  favorite  hymn  of 
Dr.  Chidlaw's.] 

AN  AGED  PILGRIM'vS  COMPLAINT. 

I'm  often  like  a  pilgrim  worn, 

Journeying  alone, 
Of  all  the  friends  I  once  possessed 

I  hardl}^  can  find  one. 

So  nigh  you  are,  one  step  keeps  me 

From  you  whom  I  love  most ; 
Though  near,  you  are  too  far  for  me 

To  see  you,  shining  host. 

So  nigh,  the  thickness  is  not  more 

Than  that  of  a  fly's  wing; 
So  far,  that  I  can  never  hear 

A  word  you  say  or  sing 

So  nigh,  that  in  an  instant  I 

From  here  with  you  could  be ; 
So  far,  immeasurably  far, 

For  you  to  come  to  me. 

If  no  traversible  path  be  found 
From  that  bright  place  to  ours. 

There  is,  through  grace,  a  passage  free 
From  our  place  unto  yours. 

Along  with  Him,  and  in  whose  sight, 

Nothing  is  far  or  near, 
I  hope  in  heaven  to  join  you  all. 

Who  are  to  me  sc>  dear. 

Alfred,  alias  Dewi  Meirion. 


